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CHAS,  H,  LDTHRDP 


SURGEON. 


THE 


&.<?• 

Hegiment  IOWQ  Caviiliy 

VETERAN  VOLUNTEERS, 


FROM  ITS  ORGANIZATION  IN  1861  TO  ITS  MUSTER  OUT  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES  SERVICE  IN  1866. 


ALSO, 


A  COMPLETE  ROSTER  OF  THE  REGIMENT, 


BY  CHARLES  H.  LOTHROP,   M.   D., 

SURGEON. 


LYONS,  IOWA. 

BEERS  &  EATON.    PRINTERS,    MIRROR  OFFICE. 

1890. 


E507 


sJ" 


ANNOUNCEMENT. 


HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY  ASSOCIATION. 

CEDAR  RAPIDS,   IOWA.   AUGUST  10th.   1890. 

At  a  meeting-  of  the  Association  held  at  Cedar  Rapids  September  23d. 
1886,  the  following  resolution  was  offered  and  adopted  by  a  rising-  vote: 

•  •  Resolved,  That  the  most  hearty  thanks  of  the  Association  are  due 
and  are  hereby  tendered  to  Dr.  Chas.  H.  Lothrop.  for  his  most  diligent 
efforts  and  g-ood  services  in  thus  far  collecting  material  for  and  compil 
ing-  the  history  of  the  Regiment,  and  that  he  be  encouraged  and  assisted 
by  all  means  within  our  power  in  his  good  work,  and  that  he  be  and 
is  appointed  Regimental  Historian.'1 

The  Association  at  the  reunion  at  Ottumwa.  after  listening  to  the 
report  of  Surgeon  Lothrop.  appointed  him  chairman  of  a  committee  to 
publish  the  history  of  the  Regiment,  a  work  upon  which  he  had  spent 
so  much  labor.  Upon  the  death  of  Surgeon  Lothrop,  the  work  was 
taken  up  and  completed  by  his  beloved  wife,  Virginia  Lothrop.  We 
cannot  command  language  to  express  our  gratitude  to  this  noble 
woman  ;  and  while  we,  on  behalf  of  the  Association,  extend  to  her  the 
thanks  of  the  veterans  who  once  composed  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  we 
assure  her  that  she  will  always  be  remembered  by  the  •  •  boys"  the 
Doctor  loved  so  well  and  in  whose  interest  he  always  labored. 

H.  S.   HEBERLING.   President. 
PHIL.   H.   FRANCIS.   Secretary. 


MS08650 


GENERAL  PREFACE. 


NEARLY  THIRTY  YEARS  have  come  and  gone  since  the  First 
Regiment  Iowa  Cavalry  Volunteers  engaged  in  the  suppression 
of  the  most  gigantic  and  unholy  rebellion  that  ever  crushed  any  nation 
on  the  earth.  The  part  it  took  in  its  suppression  will  ever  occupy  one 
of  the  brightest  pages  of  our  country's  history  of  that  unholy  strife 
from  1861  to  1865. 

The  members  of  the  organization  were  composed  of  young  men.  etc. 
Nothing  omitted,  etc. 

He  sends  it  forth  commending  it  with  his  kindest  wishes  to  those  who 
bore  the  brunt  of  battle,  march,  fatigue,  etc..  with  him,  and  whose 
friendship  he  will  ever  cherish. 

The  members  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  Veteran  Volunteers. 
Assistance  of  wife. 


Here  my  beloved  husband  and  your  dear  comrade  laid  down  his  pen, 
and  I  may  truthfully  say  his  life,  in  the  service  of  those  comrades  he 
loved  so  well. 

For  six  years  he  labored  almost  constantly  in  his  endeavors  to  collect 
material,  sparing  no  expense,  and  in  his  zeal  overtaxing  his  strength. 
He  completed  the  manuscript — with  the  exception  of  Detached  Service 
Reports,  Personal  Sketches,  Promotions,  Preface,  etc., — so  as  to  be  able 


VI  GENERAL  PREFACE. 

to  present  the  result  of  his  labors  to  his  comrades  at  Milwaukee  and 
Ottumwa,  and  looked  forward  to  these  "Reunions'1  with  much  pleasure 
and  pride.  He  felt  that  he  had  done  well,  and  few  have  any  conception 
of  how  difficult  and  laborious  the  work  was  that  had  been  assigned  to 
him  as  Historian  of  the  Regiment. 

His  disappointment  in  not  being  able  to  meet  you  at  Ottumwa  was 
great  and  keen,  for  he  yearned  with  the  anticipation  of  full  joy  to  clasp 
the  hands  of  his  old  comrades.  The  action  taken  by  the  Association, 
however,  cheered  and  encouraged  him.  and  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to 
dictate  he  issued  a  call  to  the  committee  appointed  to  make  some  ar 
rangement  to  meet,  asking  them  to  be  his  guests,  and  was  again  happy 
in  anticipation.  , 

Only  one  of  them,  Judge  Stutsman,  paid  it  the  slightest  attention. 
He  waited  six  weeks,  or  longer,  and  issued  another  call.  All  replied 
save  Captain  Dilley. 

The  replies  reminded  us  forcibly  of  the  feast  we  read  of  in  Holy  Writ : 
"And  they  all  with  one  accord  began  to  make  excuse.'1  It  was  too 
much  for  his  deeply  sensitive  nature,  in  his  enfeebled  condition,  to 
bear — this  non-appreciation  of  his  labor  of  love — and  he  died. 

Unknown  to  him,  I  had  added  a  postscript  to  his  first  call :  •  •  Beg 
ging  them  to  make  some  speedy  arrangement,  as  his  anxiety  was 
retarding  his  recovery.11  I  was  begging  for  his  life.  He  then 
wrote  to  President  Heberling.  who  immediately  responded,  and  came 
out  from  Chicago.  When  he  arrived  the  Doctor  was  already  very  ill ; 
but  he  explained  everything  to  President  Heberling.  interviewed  the 
publisher,  etc. 

President  Heberling  left  with  the  intention  of  returning  in  ten  days 
with  Secretary  Francis.  After  he  left  the  Doctor  was  perfectly  content 
and  said,  "  It  is  all  right; — now  the  'boys1  will  have  the  History.11 

President  Heberling  and  Secretary  Francis  came  on  the  4th  of  Feb 
ruary,  but  he  could  not  speak  to  them;  his  heart  was  too  full.  A  flash 
of  joy  passed  over  his  countenance  and  he  held  out  both  his  hands  to 
them.  Two  days  after  he  entered  into  rest:  "  Victor  over  Death  and 
pain.1' 


GENERAL  PREFACE.  VII 

You  have  the  History  :  I  feel  that  it  has  been  bought  with  a  price. 

Had  he  lived,  there  were  corrections  and  additions  to  be  made.  Had 
he  lived,  it  is  hardly  possible  there  should  have  been  no  mistakes  in 
such  a  work,  and  with  him  passed  away  all  knowledge  of  many  of  the 
corrections  that  should  have  been  made. 

Many  will  be  disappointed  in  the  work,  expecting  more  personal 
mention.  To  name  them  all  would  be  impossible,  and  where  there 
were  so  many  brave,  to  omit  any  would  be  invidious. 

He  wrote  the  History  of  the  Regiment. 

Very  sincerely, 

VIRGINIA  LOTHROP. 
LYONS,  IOWA,  AUGUST  15th.  1890. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 


I 


T  is  with  pleasure  that  I  acknowledge  valuable  and    kindly  assist 
ance  from  the  following1  named  gentlemen  : 

Field  and  Staff. 
Colonel  William  Thompson. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  E.  Moss,  (now  deceased. ) 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Alexander  G.  McQueen. 
Surgeon  Milton  B.  Cochran. 
Assistant  Surgeon  David  B.  Allen. 
First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  David  A.  Kerr. 
Commissary  Sergeant  Lucius  B.  Man  waring. 

Company  A. 
Sergeant  Thomas  Reynolds. 

Company  B. 
Captain  S.  S.  Burdett. 
Second  Lieutenant  Hiram  S.J  Heberling. 
Private  Isaac  Rhodes. 
Private  Ezra  J.  Smith. 
Private  Philip  H.  Francis. 

Company  C. 
Sergeant  George  VanBeek. 

Company  1). 
Corporal  William  M.  Wilson. 

Company  E. 

Sergeant  Alexander  A.  Wildasin. 
Private  John  R.   Martin. 
Private  E.  M.  Stapleton. 
Private  Clementine  M.  Bird. 


X  ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 

Company  F. 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  W.  Dow. 

Company  G. 
Captain  Albert  W.  Hosford. 

Company  H. 
First  Lieutenant  Samuel  T.  Craig. 

Company  I. 
First  Lieutenant  Joseph  H.  Springer. 

Company  K. 

Captain  Robert  L.  Freeman. 
Captain  Thomas  H.  Barnes. 
Captain  James  M.  Russell. 
Second  Lieutenant  Albert  L.  Freeman. 
Sergeant  James  A.  Lyons. 
Sergeant  Frank  Pease. 
Private  John  L.  Haworth. 

Company  L. 

First  Lieutenant  James  M.  Simeral. 
Second  Lieutenant  John  M.  Enochs. 
Sergeant  Horace  J.  Leonard. 
Sergeant  Charles  E.  Miller. 
Private  Charles  A.  Chase. 

Company  M. 

First  Lieutenant  Edwin  A.  Dunham. 
Bugler  Thomas  E.  Francis. 
Private  W.  H.  Rigby. 

To  R.  J.  Holcomb.  of  Nevada.  Missouri,  late  a  member  of  the  Tenth 
Missouri  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  to  W.  C.  Roland,  of  Carthage,  Mis 
souri,  late  Captain  Company  H.  Eighteenth  Regiment  Iowa  Infantry 
Volunteers. 


HISTORY 


OF    THE 


First  IOWG  GavQlry  Veteran  Volunteers, 


1861-62. 

FOR  A  PERIOD  of  more  than  forty  years  the  principles  of 
nullification,  State  sovereignty  and  disunion,  with  the 
flattering  sentiment  of  Southern  supremacy,  had  been  instilled 
into  the  minds  of  the  people  of  the  southern  portion  of  this 
republic  by  their  dishonest  and  unscrupulous  leaders,  until  rule 
or  ruin  had  become  the  dominant  idea  of  these  misguided  peo 
ple,  and  treason,  the  legitimate  offspring  of  such  teaching,  had 
become  so  developed  that  it  culminated  in  an  onslaught  upon 
the  nation's  existence  in  an  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  April 
12th,  1861. 

This  treason  was  developing,  and  had  increased  to  such  an 
extent,  that  in  1854  that  renowned  scholar  and  poet,  Albert 
Pike,  of  Arkansas,  (who  with  sorrow  be  it  said  afterward  es 
poused  the  cause  of  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy,)  Avith 
prophetic  ken  saw  the  inevitable  in  the  course  pursued,  and 
warned  his  people  of  the  disastrous  result  in  the  following  terse 
and  emphatic  language : 


14  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

' '  Aye,  shout !    'Tis  the  day  of  your  pride. 

Ye  despots  and  tyrants  of  earth  ! 
Tell  your  serfs  the  American  name  to  deride, 

And  to  rattle  their  fetters  in  mirth. 
Ay,  shout !  for  the  League  of  the  Free 

Is  about  to  be  shivered  to  dust, 
And  the  rent  limbs  to  fall  from  the  vigorous  tree. 

Wherein  liberty  put  her  firm  trust. 
Shout !  shout !  for  more  firmly  established  will  be 
Your  thrones  and  dominions  beyond  the  blue  sea. 

' '  Laugh  on  !  for  such  folly  supreme 

The  world  has  never  yet  beheld, 
And  ages  to  come  will  the  history  deem 

A  tale  by  antiquity  swelled  ; 
For  nothing  that  Time  has  upbuilt 

And  set  in  the  annals  of  crime, 
So  stupid  and  senseless,  so  wretched  in  guilt, 

Darkens  sober  tradition  or  rhyme. 
It  will  be,  like  the  fable  of  Eblis1  fall, 
A  by-word  of  mocking  and  horror  to  all, 

"  Ye  mad,  who  would  Vase  out  your  name 

From  the  League  of  the  Proud  and  the  Free, 
And  a  pitiful,  separate  sovereignty  claim. 

Like  a  line  wave  flung  off  from  the  sea ; 
Oh,  pause  ere  you  plunge  in  the  chasm 

That  yawns  in  your  treacherous  way ! 
Ere  Freedom,  convulsed  with  one  terrible  spasm. 

Desert  you  for  ever  and  aye  ! 

Pause  !  think  !  ere  the  earthquake  astonish  your  soul, 
And  the  thunders  of  war  thro1  your  green  valleys  roll ! 

"  Good  God  !  what  a  title,  what  name 

Will  history  give  to  your  crime  ? 
In  the  deepest  abyss  of  dishonor  and  shame 

Ye  will  writhe  till  the  last  hour  of  time. 
As  braggarts  who  forged  their  own  chains. 

Pulled  down  what  their  brave  fathers  built. 
And  tainted  the  blood  in  their  children's  young  veins 

With  the  poison  of  slavery  and  guilt ; 
And  Freedom's  bright  heart  be  hereafter,  tenfold, 
For  your  folly  and  fall,  more  discouraged  and  cold. 

f<  What  flag  shall  float  over  the  fires 
And  smoke  of  your  fratricide  war, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  15 

Instead  of  the  stars  and  broad  stripes  of  your  sires  ? 

A  lone,  pale,  flickering  star, 
With  a  thunder-cloud  veiling  its  glow 

As  it  faints  away  into  the  sea : 
Will  the  Eagle's  wing  shelter  and  shield  you  ?    Ah,  no  ! 

His  wing  shelters  only  the  free. 
Miscall  it,  disguise  it,  boast,  cant  as  you  will, 
You  are  traitors,  misled  by  your  mad  leaders  still. 

' '  Turn,  turn  then  !     Cast  down  in  your  might 

The  pilots  that  sit  at  the  helm  ! 
Steer,  steer  your  proud  ship  from  the  gulf  which  dark  night 

And  treason  and  fear  overwhelm  ! 
Turn  back  !— -  from  your  mountains  and  glens, 

From  your  swamps,  from  the  rivers  and  sea, 
From  forest  and  precipice,  cavern  and  den, 

Where  your  brave  fathers  bled  to  be  free. 
From  the  graves  where  those  glorious  patriots  lie 
Re-echoes  the  warning,    '  Turn  back,  or  ye  die  ! ' ' 

But  the  monster  would  not  down.  In  1856,  Charles  Sum- 
ner,  a  Senator  from  Massachusetts,  was  struck  down  by  a 
Southern  ruffian  in  the  Senate  chamber  of  the  United  States, 
for  daring  to  give  utterance  to  opinions  hostile  to  the  Southern 
slaveholding  oligarchy. 

In  1859  the  institution  of  slavery  was  shaken  to  its  very 
foundation  by  a  handful  of  men  led  by  that  apostle  of  freedom, 
John  Brown,  and  from  that  day,  December  2d,  1859,  when  he 
expiated  upon  the  gallows  his  unlawful  attempt  of  insurrec 
tion,  slavery  could  not  have  been  more  dead  than  it  was  at  the 
end  of  the  slaveholders'  rebellion. 

In  1860  the  late  Judge  Shepley,  of  Maine,  a  delegate  to  the 
National  Democratic  Convention,  stung  to  the  quick  by  the 
arrogant  attitude  of  the  South,  quoted  in  his  speech  before  the 
Convention,  after  casting  the  unanimous  vote  of  his  delegation 
for  the  late  Stephen  A.  Douglas  for  President,  the  following 
lines  from  the  old  Scottish  bard : 

•  •  There  are  hills  beyond  Pentland,  and  land  beyond  Forth  ; 
If  there's  lords  in  the  Southland,  there's  chiefs  in  the  North."1 


16  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

This  attitude  of  the  South  attracted  the  attention  of  not  only 
the  North,  but  the  whole  civilized  world  was  waiting  to  know 
if  in  its  extreme  fear,  folly  and  desperation,  it  would  initiate  a 
fratricidal  war  in  order  to  perpetuate  a  most  fearful  crime 
against  liberty  and  humanity.  ;  i  Whom  the  gods  wish  to  de 
stroy  they  first  make  mad."  Heretofore  confined  to  wordy,  in 
solent  speeches  and  ignoble  resolutions,  these  people  proceeded 
to  overt  rebellion  by  assaulting  the  flag  of  our  country,  April 
12th,  1861.  That  day  the  traitor  guns  of  South  Carolina  were 
turned  upon  Fort  Sumter  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston.  After 
making  a  heroic  defense,  and  with  a  parting  salute  to  the  old 
flag,  a  little  band  of  United  States  soldiers  commanded  by 
Major  Robert  Anderson,  constituting  its  garrison,  surrendered 
to  the  traitor  hordes  of  South  Carolina. 

The  telegraph  announced  the  fact  as  soon  as  the  act  was  per 
petrated,  and  the  entire  population  of  the  loyal  North  with 
stern  determination  resolved  to  punish  this  high-handed  out 
rage,  Civil  war  was  inaugurated,  and  the  beginning  of  a  sor 
row  which  was  about  to  enter  almost  every  household  of  this 
great  and  prosperous  republic,  and  leave  within  its  portals, 
tears,  heart-sobs,  suffering,  disease  and  death  for  years  to  come, 
was  present  with  us.  It  was  the  beginning  of  a  sorrow  the 
vastness  of  which  could  not  be  comprehended,  for  the  reason 
that  history  in  all  the  revolving  years  of  time  does  not  furnish 
a  parallel. 

At  this  trying  time  President  Lincoln  issued  a  proclamation 
to  the  Governors  of  the  several  States,  calling  for  75,000  men 
to  rally  for  the  defense  of  home,  liberty,  and  an  undivided 
country.  There  came  a  most  magnificent  and  holy  response 
from  every  city  and  hamlet  in  the  North.  All  the  peaceful 
avocations  of  life  were  essentially  abandoned,  and  men  of  all 
conditions  and  circumstances,  and  loyal  women  too,  with  burst 
ing  hearts  and  brimful  eyes,  made  immediate  response  to  the 
wailing  cry  of  the  imperilled  republic.  The  response  of  the 
then  young  State  of  Iowa  was  grand,  magnificent.  She  was  in 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  17 

the  front  ranks — a  position  she  ever  after  maintained  during 
this  long  and  eventful  struggle  for  national  existence.  Her 
soldiers  were  found  upon  almost  every  battle  field  and  among 
the  ' '  bravest  of  the  brave. ' '  Her  fair  women,  with  throb 
bing,  bursting  hearts,  but  with  a  bravery,  devotion  and  self  sac 
rifice  exceeding  that  of  the  men,  sent  their  husbands,  sons, 
fathers,  brothers  and  loved  ones  to  the  front,  bidding  them  to 
be  true  and  faithful  to  home,  country  and  God.  While  I 
speak  thus  of  the  patriotism  of  the  people  of  Iowa,  far  be  it 
from  me  to  cast  any  reflections,  in  the  slightest  degree,  upon 
the  people  of  the  other  States  of  the  loyal  North.  Every  State 
was  intent  upon  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  the  out 
bursts  of  a  free  people  in  the  defense  of  liberty  were  supremely 
grand.  It  was  from  such  patriotism,  from  such  devotion  to 
country,  that  Freedom  drew  her  inspiration : 

•  ' '  When  from  her  mountain  height 

She  unfurled  her  standard^  to  the  air. 
She  tore  the  azure  robe  of  night 
And  set  the  stars  of  glory  there." 

..  On  April  16th  our  old  War  Governor,  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood, 
received  the  following  telegram  from  Simon  Cameron,  Secre 
tary  of  War  :  4  fc  Call  made  on  you  by  to-night' s  mail  for  one 
regiment  of  militia  for  immediate  service;"  and  on  the  17th 
Governor  Kirkwood  issued  his  proclamation  for  one  regiment 
of  volunteer  infantry.  So  prompt  was  the  response  that  on 
the  first  day  of  May  the  regiment  was  in  rendezvous  at  Keokuk 
waiting  for  arms.  Companies  had  been  rapily  formed  in  almost 
all  parts  of  the  State,  and  there  was  bitter  disappointment  ex 
pressed  when,  upon  making  application  to  become  a  portion  of 
it,  they  were  informed  that  but  one  regiment  had  been  called 
for  and  it  was  now  complete.  Notwithstanding  this  disappoint 
ment  on  the  part  of  the  citizens,  the  organization  of  companies 
continued.  The  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter  had  aroused  the 
martial  spirit  of  the  people  to  a  white  heat,  and  Iowa  became 

one  vast  rendezvous  for  citizen  soldiery. 
3 


18  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

In  the  meantime  the  rebellion  had  assumed  more  formidable 
proportions,  and  on  May  3d,  1861,  another  proclamation  was 
issued  by  President  Lincoln  calling  for  ' '  forty-two  thousand 
and  thirty-four  volunteers,  to  serve  for  a  period  of  three  years 
unless  sooner  discharged,  and  to  be  mustered  into  the  service  as 
infantry  and  cavalry."  This  proclamation  was  the  first  call  for 
troops  for  three  years'  service,  and  under  it  the  First  Cavalry 
was  organized.  Prior  to  this  time  several  cavalry  companies 
had  been  organized,  and  the  men  composing  them  were  from  a 
large  section  of  the  State  :  from  Allamakee  and  Winneshiek  in 
the  north  to  Lee  and  Decatur  counties  in  the  south.  These 
several  companies,  (ten  companies  at  that  time  being  the  re 
quired  number  to  constitute  a  cavalry  regiment,)  were  accepted' 
by  the  State  June  13th,  1861,  and  ordered  into  quarters  by  Gov 
ernor  Kirkwood  July  18th,  1861.  A  few  of  the  companies  had 
been  in  quarters  prior  to  this  time  :  notably  one  company  at 
Lyons,  afterward  Company  B,  went  into  quarters  May  1st; 
one  company  at  Ottumwa,  afterward  Company  I,  went  into 
quarters  May  6th ;  one  company  at  McGregor,  afterward 
Company  K,  May  15th  ;  and  one  company  at  Iowa  City,  after 
ward  Company  F,  was  organized  April  15th,  but  the  date  of 
going  into  quarters,  lief  ore  ordered  by  the  Governor,  is  not 
known. 

A  short  history  of  the  organization  of  these  companies  will 
not  be  here  inappropriate. 

COMPANY  A. 

Company  A  was  enrolled  in  the  county  of  Lee  and  organized 
at  Keokuk. 

In  the  spring  of  1861  Captain  A.  G.  McQueen,  afterward 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  commenced  the  organization  of  a  cavalry 
company.  It  was  soon  organized,  and  at  the  request  of  Cap 
tain  McQueen,  W.  M.  G.  Torrence,  afterward  Major  of  the 
regiment  and  Colonel  of  the  Thirtieth  Iowa  Infantry,  was 
selected  as  Captain.  At  the  election  of  officers  Torrence  was 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  19 

elected  Captain  ;  Charles  E.  Moss,  afterward  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel,  First,  and  R.  M.  Reynolds,  afterward  Captain  of  the  com 
pany,  Second  Lieutenants.  While  Captain,  McQueen  preferred 
to  be  a  ' c  high  private' '  in  the  rear  rank.  Upon  the  acceptance 
of  the  regiment  by  the  State  the  company  very  suddenly  be 
came  reduced  to  a  "  skeleton. "  In  a  short  time,  however, 
through  the  energetic  efforts  of  Captain  Torrence,  McQueen 
and  D.  A.  Kerr,  afterward  Adjutant,  and  severely  wounded  in 
an  engagement  with  Quantrell's  guerillas,  near  Pleasant  Hill, 
Missouri,  the  depleted  ranks  were  filled.  At  this  time  Mc 
Queen  was  elected  First  Lieutenant.  Some  few  had  again  been 
"taken  sick"  and  their  places  filled  by  new  recruits.  The 
company  was  finally  organized  with  W.  M.  G.  Torrence  Cap 
tain,  A.  G.  McQueen  First  and  R.  M.  Reynolds  Second  Lieu 
tenants. 

The  men  comprising  the  company  were  principally  from  Lee, 
Van  Buren  and  Decatur  counties,  while  a  few  were  from  Han 
cock  county,  Illinois.  It  went  into  quarters  June  13th,  and  in 
obedience  to  orders  from  the  Governor  it  left  July  27th  for  its 
rendezvous  at  Burlington,  on  which  occasion  ' '  the  citizens  of 
Keokuk  turned  out  to  bid  the  company  good-bye.  The  City 
Rifles,  under  Captain  W.  W.  Belknap,  and  the  Keokuk  Cav 
alry,  under  Captain  Sample,  as  escort,  marched  up  to  the  cor 
ner  of  Main  and  Fourth  streets,  where  Company  A  was  in  line. 
On  behalf  of  the  ladies  of  Keokuk,  Hon.  Samuel  F.  Miller  pre 
sented  a  flag  to  the  company,  on  receiving  which  Captain  Tor 
rence  replied  :  '  We  thank  the  ladies  for  this  beautiful  flag, 
and  we  will  defend  it  to  the  last,  and  when  it  shall  be  trailed  in 
the  dust  my  wife  will  be  a  widow  and  my  children  orphans. ' 
Escorted  by  the  City  Rifles  and  Sample's  Cavalry,  the  line  of 
march  was  down  Main  street  to  Second,  and  then  out  on  the 
Montrose  road,  to  Burlington.  They  camped  that  night  at 
Denmark,  wiiere  they  remained  over  Sunday,  and  on  Monday 
morning  reached  Burlington,"  (July  29th,)  and  were  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  July  30th,  1861. 


20  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY  B. 
THE  "HAWKEYE  RANGERS." 

In  the  early  spring  of  1861  Judge  William  E.  Leffingwell 
commenced  the  organization  of  a  company  at  Lyons.  A  nu 
cleus  of  a  company  was  also  formed  at  De  Witt  in  the  early 
days  of  April,  meeting  at  the  law  office  of  Samuel  S.  Burdett, 
a  young  attorney  of  that  place.  About  the  1st  day  of  May 
members  of  this  De  Witt  contingent  visited  Lyons  for  the  pur 
pose  of  uniting  with  the  Lyons  company  and  forming  a  perma 
nent  organization.  The  organization  was  perfected,  to  which 
the  name  of  ' '  Hawkeye  Rangers' '  was  given,  with  Judge  Wil 
liam  E.  Leffingwell  as  Captain ;  Samuel  S.  Burdett,  after 
ward  Captain  of  the  company,  First,  and  Charles  M.  Baldwin 
Second  Lieutenants  Soon  afterward,  however,  Baldwin  be 
came  "sick"  and  "dropped  out."  William  H.  DeFreest  was 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

The  members  of  this  company  were  principally  from  Clinton 
and  Jackson  counties,  a  few  from  Morrison,  Illinois,  and  other 
few  from  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  They  were  all  hardy,  robust 
young  men.  The  Adjutant  General's  report  shows  that  not  a 
man  was  rejected  by  the  mustering  officer  when  this  company 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service.  A  few  of  the 
members  were  in  quarters  as  early  as  the  first  of  May,  1861. 
The  company  went  into  quarters  in  the  brick  block  on  the  south 
side  of  Main  street,  near  the  corner  of  Second  street,  and  the 
drjll  in  the  4 i  school  of  the  trooper' '  became  regular.  On  the 
24th  of  July,  orders  having  been  previously  received  from  Gov 
ernor  Kirkwood  to  rendezvous  at  Burlington,  our  ' l  Rangers' ' 
were  inarched  to  the  public  square,  and  amidst  a  large  con 
course  of  citizens  a  very  handsome  standard  of  blue  silk, 
trimmed  with  red  and  white  silk  fringe,  was  presented  to  the 
company  by  the  ladies  of  Lyons — Lyman  A.  Ellis,  Esq.,  mak 
ing  the  presentation  speech,  which  was  responded  to  by  First 
Lieutenant  S.  S.  Burdett  and  Judge  W.  E.  Leffingwell,  Cap 
tain  of  the  company.  On  one  side  of  the  standard  were  thirty- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  21 

four  gold  stars,  with  the  word  Hawk  and  representation  of  an 
eye,  followed  by  the  word  Rangers,  indicating  the  name  of  the 
company,  "Hawkeye  Rangers."  On  the  reverse  were  thirty- 
four  gold  stars,  with  the  representation  of  a  hawk,  on  an  ob 
long  ground  work,  with  the  inscription,  "  We  will  meet  you 
on  the  Border."  After  the  speeches  of  presentation  and  re 
sponses  the  Rangers  were  dismissed,  and  the  excited  citizens, 
dispersing  into  small  groups,  discussed  the  disastrous  results  of 
the  war  "within  the  last  few  days."  The  standard  was  care 
fully  preserved  by  Captain  Leffingwell  until  he  left  the  service; 
he  then  gave  it  to  Isaac  Rhodes,  now  of  De  Witt,  Iowa,  a  mem 
ber  of  the  company,  who  now  has  it  in  his  possession.  On 
Thursday  morning,  July  25th,  the  De  Witt  portion  of  the  com 
mand  having  arrived  the  day  before,  the  Rangers  left  Lyons 
amid  the  cheering  of  the  citizens  for  their  rendezvous  at  Bur 
lington,  reaching  De  Witt  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day, 
where  they  received  an  ovation.  They  left  the  next  morning 
and  arrived  at  Muscatine  at  ten  o'clock  that  night.  Stopping 
at  Wapello  on  the  night  of  the  27th,  they  reached  Burlington 
about  five  o'clock  P.  M.  on  the  28th.  They  were  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service  on  the  31st  of  July. 

The  following  in  reference  to  this  company  is  from  the  Lyons 
City  Advocate,  July  27th,  1861 : 

Captain  Leffingwell,  having  succeeded  in  getting  his  men  equipped, 
and  all  furnished  with  horses,  left  here  on  Thursday  morning  last  for 
Burlington,  where  the  regiment  of  cavalry  are  to  rendezvous  and  be 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  previous  to  starting  for 
Washington.  It  is  a  task  of  no  small  magnitude  for  a  man  to  raise  and 
procure  equipments  for  a  company,  without  the  aid  of  either  the  State 
or  the  general  Government,  but  this  has  been  accomplished  by  Captain 
Leffingwell,  and  he  has  the  first  full  company  of  equipped  cavalry  in 
the  State,  numbering  ninety-eight  strong  and  hardy  men  including 
officers. 

Our  young  ladies,  never  idle  in  times  like  these,  had  collected  the 
means  and  purchased  a  beautiful  flag,  which  was  presented  to  the  Ran 
gers  on  Thursday  evening  last  on  the  public  square,  in  the  presence  of 
a  large  number  of  our  citizens.  Rev.  Kynett  had  been  selected  by  the 


22  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ladies  to  make  the  presentation,  but  being  called  away,  L.  A.  Ellis,  Esq. . 
took  his  place,  and  upon  the  Rangers  being  drawn  up  in  line  made  a 
very  handsome  speech.  He  spoke  of  the  loyalty  of  all  the  citizens  of 
the  North  to  the  Government,  of  their  desire  to  sustain  it  as  it  had 
been  handed  down  to  them,  and  above  all  of  their  cherished  love  for 
the  stars  and  stripes,  the  flag  of  the  country.  He  spoke  about  fifteen 
minutes,  when  he  closed  and  passed  over  the  beautiful  banner  to  the 
company. 

First  Lieutenant  Burdett  received  the  flag  in  behalf  of  the  company, 
and  replied  to  Mr.  Ellis  in  a  short  but  neat  and  appropriate  speech. 
(We  expected  to  have  published  the  speeches,  but  failed  to  get  them  in 
time  for  this  issue.) 

The  remarks  were  listened  to  by  the  large  crowd  of  spectators  with 
much  interest  and  attention,  and  upon  their  close  the  flag  was  passed 
over  to  the  standard  bearer  of  the  company,  three  cheers  given  for  the 
Rangers  and  three  for  their  officers.  The  Rangers  replied  by  three 
cheers  for  the  young  ladies  of  Lyons,  and  six  more  for  her  citizens.  In 
passing  over  the  flag  Captain  Leffingwell  affirmed  by  the  uplifted  hand, 
and  called  upon  his  men,  each  one  of  whom  did  the  same,  that  entrusted 
to  them  it  should  never  be  disgraced  or  surrendered. 

The  flag  is  made  of  blue  silk,  bound  around  with  red  and  white 
fringe.  Thirty-four  gilt  stars  are  upon  either  side  of  it.  One  side 
bears  the  name  of  the  company  with  a  large  painted  eye  instead  of  the 
word,  and  on  the  other  a  beautiful  hawk  is  painted  bearing  in  his  tal 
ons  the  motto  of  the  company,  "We  will  meet  you  on  the  Border."  It 
was  tastily  mounted,  and  we  have  no  doubt  is  highly  prized  by  the 
whole  company. 

The  company  then  marched  to  their  quarters  to  spend  their  last 
night  in  our  city  and  prepare  for  an  early  start  in  the  morning  and 
their  departure  for  Burlington. 

At  an  early  hour  on  Thursday  morning  the  bugle  sounded  the  assem 
bly,  and  in  a  very  short  time  the  barracks  were  astir  with  the  prepara 
tions  for  departure.  Our  citizens,  also,  congregated  en  masse  to  see 
them  off.  The  baggage  wagon  was  packed  and  started,  and  at  eight 
o'clock  the  company  mounted  and  took  up  their  line  of  march  for  Bur 
lington,  where  they  are  ordered  to  rendezvous  on  Monday  next  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.  The  Fulton  brass  band  headed  the  column  and  accompa 
nied  them  some  distance  from  the  city.  There  was  but  one  attempt  at 
cheering  that  we  heard  upon  their  departure,  the  feelings  of  the  people 
being  entirely  too  much  wrought  up  to  indulge  in  a  hearty  cheer. 
Fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  sisters,  wives  and  children  were  looking, 
perhaps  for  the  last  time,  upon  the  manly  forms  passing  before  them, 
and  sympathy  for  them  and  for  the  soldiers  was  plainly  written  upon 
every  countenance.  With  the  disastrous  results  of  the  last  few  days  in 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  23 

full  recollection,  all  felt  that  the  going  forth  to  war  was  no  trifling 
matter,  and  none  could  help  feeling  and  fearing  that  many  passing  be 
fore  them  then  would  never  return  to  their  homes  and  friends  ;  but  that 
it  might  be  otherwise  we  have  no  doubt  many  a  spontaneous  and  ear 
nest  prayer  ascended  to  the  throne  of  grace  as  they  passed  out  of  sight 
down  Sixth  street  to  take  the  road  for  De  Witt. 

Thus  is  another  hundred  stout  hands  and  brave  hearts  added  to  the 
defense  of  the  country,  and  we  take  occasion  to  predict  here  that  if  that 
company  meet  the  enemies  of  the  Constitution  and  the  Union  upon 
the  field  of  battle,  such  enemies  will  have  cause  to  remember  the 
Hawkeye  Rangers,  of  Lyons,  Iowa.  They  are  as  sturdy  a  set  of  men 
as  ever  vaulted  into  a  saddle,  and  not  one  of  them,  in  our  opinion,  will 
ever  show  the  white  feather  to  an  enemy,  and  if  they  do  it  will  not  be 
by  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  their  commander.  Brave  almost  to  a 
fault,  he  has  encountered  every  discouragement  in  the  getting  up  of 
his  company  with  a  determination  that  has  borne  down  every  obstacle, 
until  on  Thursday  morning  last  he  marched  forth  at  the  head  of  as  well 
an  appointed  company  as  there  is  in  the  volunteer  service.  Our  citi 
zens  are  justly  proud  of  the  company  and  its  commander,  and  parted 
with  them  with  real  heartfelt  regrets.  At  De  Witt  they  were  to  be 
treated  to  a  public  dinner  Thursday  afternoon,  which  would  undoubt 
edly  be  enjoyed  after  a  twenty  mile  ride  on  horseback. 

Previous  to  starting  a  large  number  of  towels  and  other  necessaries, 
the  proceeds  of  a  picnic  last  week,  were  distributed  among  the  men. 

COMPANY  C. 

Company  C  was  enrolled  in  the  counties  of  Des  Moines, 
Louisa  and  Lee,  and  organized  at  Burlington  and  went  into 
quarters,  by  order  of  Governor  Kirkwood,  June  13th,  1861, 
with  Levi  Chase,  afterward  Major,  as  Captain  ;  Benjamin  Ra- 
ney  First  and  Albert  F.  Dean  Second  Lieutenants.  W.  E. 
Chamberlain,  afterward  Major,  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the 
formation  of  this  company.  l  «•  It  was  largely  made  up  of 
young  men  from  eighteen  to  twenty-five  years  of  age."  It 
was  mustered  into  the  IJnited  States  service  July  31st,  1861. 
No  further  information  as  to  the  formation  of  this  company  has 
been  received. 

COMPANY  D. 

Company  D  was  enrolled  in  the  counties  of  Warren  and 
Madison,  and  organized  with  P.  Gad  Bryan  as  Captain,  after- 


24:  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ward  Major  and  Lieutenant  Colonel ;  James  D.  Jenks.  after 
ward  Captain  and  Major,  First  Lieutenant,  and  William  R. 
Shiver  Second  Lieutenant,  afterward  First  Lieutenant.  The 
company  went  into  quarters  June  13th,  and  was  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service  July  31st,  1861.  No  further  infor 
mation  as  to  the  formation  of  this  company  has  been  received. 

COMPANY  E. 

Company  E  was  enrolled  in  Henry  county,  and  organized  at 
Mt.  Pleasant,  with  William  Thompson  as  Captain,  afterward 
Major  and  Colonel ;  William  P.  McClure  First  Lieutenant,  and 
Thomas  Bereman  Second  Lieutenant,  afterward  Captain  and 
Major.  Captain  Thompson  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the  organ 
ization  of  this  company.  It  went  into  quarters  June  13th,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  July  31st,  1861. 
No  further  information  as  to  the  formation  of  this  company  has 
been  received. 

COMPANY  F. 

The  "Iowa  City  Cavalry  Company"  was  enrolled  princi 
pally  in  the  counties  of  Johnson  and  Washington,  and  organ 
ized  at  Iowa  City,  with  James  O.  Gower  as  Captain,  afterward 
Major  and  Colonel ;  J.  R.  Elliott  First  and  P.  E.  Shaver  Sec 
ond  Lieutenants.  The  following  history  as  to  the  organization 
has  been  furnished  by  Surgeon  M.  B.  Cochran  :  "On  the 
28th  of  March,  1861,  a  meeting  was  held  in  Mendenhall's  hall, 
Iowa  City,  to  take  measures  to  organize  a  company  of  cavalry. 
The  meeting  adjourned  to  the  15th  of  April,  when  another 
meeting  was  held  in  Market  hall.  Thirty-five  names  were  en 
rolled  and  an  organization  was  completed.  J.  O.  Gower  way 
chosen  Captain,  J.  W.  Porter  First  Lieutenant,  John  Borland 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  J.  R.  Elliott  Orderly  Sergeant,  The 
company  met  for  drill  regularly  from  that  time  until  it  was 
ordered  into  quarters  by  the  Governor.  Some  of  the  original 
members  left  the  company,  and  many  other  names  were  added 
to  the  roll,  and  a  reorganization  was  effected  before  final  muster 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  25 

into  the  United  States  service.  J.  R.  Elliott  was  chosen  First 
and  P.  E.  Shaver  Second  Lieutenants."  On  the  1st  day  of 

August  it  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service.     The 

& 

muster  roll  of  the  company  for  the  month  of  August,  1861, 
shows  that  the  company  left  Iowa  City  July  27th,  and  marched 
for  Camp  Warren,  Burlington,  a  distance  of  eighty  miles,  ar 
riving  at  Camp  Warren  July  29th,  at  nine  A.  M.,  "in  accord 
ance  with  the  orders  of  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Iowa. ' 

COMPANY  G, 
THE  "  HARDIN  RANGERS,  " 

Was  enrolled  principally  in  the  counties  of  Hardin,  Dubuque, 
Blackhawk,  Jones  and  Delaware,  and  organized  at  Eldora,  with 
James  D.  Thompson  Captain,  H.  H.  Heath  First  and  E.  S. 
Foster  Second  Lieutenants.  The  following  history  of  the  or- 
o-anization  is  taken  from  Surgeon  Cochran's  historical  sketch  of 

o  ° 

the  regiment :     "After  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  a  meeting  was 


held  at  Eldora,  and  it  was  there  decided  to  raise  and  mount  a 
company  of  cavalry,  to  be  known  as  the  Hardin  Rangers,  and 
tender  their  services  to  the  Government.  J.  D.  Thompson  was 
elected  Captain,  J.  Edgington  and  L.  E.  Campbell  First  and 
Second  Lieutenants,  and  E.  S.  Foster  Orderly  Sergeant.  There 
was  no  trouble  in  securing  men,  but  it  was  not  so  easy  to  pro 
cure  horses.  Each  man  had  to  furnish  his  own  horse,  and,  as 
many  of  the  men  were  not  able  to  do  this,  a  large  number 
recruited  for  the  Rangers  left  the  company  and  joined  the 
infantry. 

' <  The  nucleus  of  a  company  had  been  formed  in  Dubuque  by 
H.  H.  Heath,  and  Captain  Thompson  proceeded  to  that  place 
to  arrange  for  a  consolidation,  which  resulted  in  the  organiza 
tion  of  Company  G,  with  J.  D.  Thompson  as  Captain,  H.  H. 
Heath  as  First  Lieutenant,  L.  E.  Campbell  as  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  and  J.  M.  Simeral  Orderly  Sergeant.  About  that  time  a 
call  was  made  for  a  regiment  of  cavalry  from  Iowa,  Informa 
tion  was  received  from  Washington  that  the  Government  would 
furnish  horses  to  all  who  could  not  supply  themselves,  and  the 


26  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

company  was  rapidly  filled.  The  Hardin  county  portion  of  the 
company  moved  to  Burlington  via  Ottumwa,  and  at  Eddyville 
joined  Company  H,  while  the  Dubuque  portion  moved  by  boat 
to  Burlington.  Lieutenant  Campbell  did  not  respond  when 
the  order  came  to  move,  and  E.  S.  Foster  was  chosen  Second 
Lieutenant  on  arriving  at  Burlington. "  It  went  into  quarters 
June  13th,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
August  1st,  1861. 

COMPANY  H. 

Company  H  was  enrolled  in  the  counties  of  Monroe  and  Lu 
cas,  and  organized  at  Albia,  with  Daniel  Anderson  as  Captain, 
afterward  Major,  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Colonel ;  Riley  West- 
cott  First  Lieutenant,  afterward  Captain ;  and  William  S. 
Whisenand  Second  Lieutenant,  afterward  Captain  and  Major. 
It  went  into  quarters  June  13th,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  August  5th,  1861.  No  further  informa 
tion  as  to  the  organization  of  this  company  has  been  received. 

COMPANY  I. 

Company  I  was  enrolled  in  the  counties  of  Wapello  and  Keo- 
kuk,  (a  few  were  from  Hancock  county,  Illinois,)  and  organ 
ized  at  Ottumwa,  with  J.  W.  Caldwell  as  Captain,  afterward 
Major  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  ;  Dr.  David  C.  Dinsmore  First 
Lieutenant,  afterward  Captain  ;  and  W.  H.  Kitterman  Second 
Lieutenant.  The  following  history  of  the  organization  of  the 
company  is  furnished  by  Lieutenant  Joseph  H.  Springer  :  "  A 
short  time  after  the  Second  Infantry  took  the  field,  M.  A. 
Brown  and  Edward  F.  Lewis,  both  of  Ottumwa,  commenced 
recruiting  a  company.  When  the  call  came  for  a  cavalry  regi 
ment  it  was  decided  that  this  company  should  join  it.  But  be 
fore  we  were  ordered  into  quarters  Mr.  Brown  for  some  reason 
unknown  to  the  writer  withdrew,  and  J.  W.  Caldwell  succeeded 
him  and  continued  the  recruiting.  The  company  was  enrolled 
to  the  number  of  seventy-three  men.  After  arriving  at  Bur 
lington  seven  men  from  Hancock  county.  Illinois,  joined  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  27 

company.  While  in  camp  at  Burlington  the  number  was  in 
creased  to  one  hundred  and  three  men  rank  and  file."  The 
company  went  into  quarters  May  3d,  and  was  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service  August  3d,  1861.  Edward  F.  Lewis 
was  rejected  because  of  diseased  eyes,  and  John  J.  Adams  be 
cause  of  over  age. 

COMPANY  K, 

THE    "UNION    RANGERS,'1 

Was  enrolled  in  the  county  of  Clayton,  a  portion  coming  from 
Allamakee  and  Winneshiek  counties.  It  was  organized  at  Mc 
Gregor,  with  Robert  L.  Freeman  as  Captain  ;  Dr.  Thomas  H. 
Barnes,  afterward  Captain,  First,  and  Albert  L.  Freeman  Sec 
ond  Lieutenants.  Captain  Freeman  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexi 
can  war,  and  it  was  chiefly  through  his  persevering  efforts  that 
the  company  was  organized.  It  went  into  quarters  May  15th, 
1861.  The  following  history  of  the  organization  of  the  com 
pany,  by  Captain  Freeman,  will  be  read  with  interest : 

"In  the  spring  of  1861  the  great  question  of  the  day  was, 
freedom  or  slavery  ;  the  dissolution  of  the  Union  and  separation 
of  the  South  from  the  North  ;  even  war  was  freely  and  openly 
discussed  ;  but  no  one  really  believed  that  we  would  be  plunged 
into  a  struggle  that  would  endanger  the  existence  of  the  best 
government  on  earth.  When  lo  !  the  first  guns  from  Fort 
Sumter,  as  they  reverberated  over  this  broad  land,  could  not 
have  created  more  astonishment  than  the  morning  sun  as  it 
broke  over  the  world  for  the  first  time,  and  admonished  us  that 
war,  actual  war,  was  upon  us  with  all  its  horrors. 

4 1  The  writer  of  this  epistle  was  quietly  and  methodically  pur 
suing  his  way  in  order  to  hew  out  his  fortune,  in  the  little  ham 
let  of  McGregor,  on  the  border  of  the  Mississippi  river,  in  the 
State  of  Iowa,  when  a  call  for  75,000  men  came  from  our 
lamented  President  Lincoln.  Thinking  my  services  might  be  of 
some  little  value,  I  commenced  the  formation  of  a  company.  A 
drum  and  fife  were  brought  into  requisition.  The  streets  were 
daily  paraded.  The  usual  ragtag  and  bobtail  of  followers  and 


28  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

boys  trooped  after  the  music.  A  company  roster  was  made 
out  and  freely  signed.  Merchants,  lawyers,  doctors  and  arti 
sans  all  seemed  anxious  to  join.  Meetings  were  held,  patriotic 
speeches  were  delivered,  in  which  sixty  to  ninety  days  were 
allowed  to  completely  annihilate  our  Southern  neighbors  and 
drive  what  few  of  them  were  left  back  into  the  Union.  It  was 
decided  to  call  the  company  the  c '  Union  Rangers, "  and  your 
humble  servant  was  selected  to  visit  the  Governor  of  the  State 
in  order  to  be  incorporated  at  once  into  the  army  and  sent  to 
the  front. 

44  In  the  meantime  the  75,000  call  had  been  filled.  The  bat 
tle  of  Bull  Run  had  been  fought  and  lost  to  us,  and  another 
call  had  been  ordered.  The  Governor  said  no  cavalry  had  been 
called  for  from  Iowa  as  yet,  but  to  go  back  and  keep  my  com 
pany  together,  as  they  would  certainly  be  called  for.  So  I 
returned  and  waited  patiently  day  after  day,  and  finally,  when 
patience  was  about  exhausted,  a  telegram  came  notifying  me  to 
hold  my  company  in  readiness  to  report  to  Colonel  Fitz  Henry 
Warren,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  at  a  moment's  notice.  Then  came 
consternation  in  our  camp — a  general  stampede  and  back-out  of 
so  large  a  number  of  the  would-be  soldiers  on  paper  that  it 
nearly  depleted  the  company.  But  by  the  heroic  efforts  of 
those  really  in  earnest  the  company  was  finally  made  up  again 
and  ready  when  the  call  came.  The  steamer  War  ,Eagle  was 
chartered  to  carry  us  to  Burlington,  where  we  arrived  August 
1st,  and  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
August  17th,  1861,  as  Company  K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry." 

On  the  13th  of  June  the  Captains  of  these  ten  companies  re 
ceived  orders  from  the  Governor  to  hold  their  companies  in 
readiness  for  further  orders,  and  on  the  18th  of  July  were  or 
dered  to  rendezvous  at  Burlington  to  be  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service.  On  July  30th  the  muster  in  commenced 
and  continued  without  delay  until  all  were  mustered  in. 

Prior  to  this  time,  (in  the  latter  part  of  May,)  an  order  from 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  29 

the  Governor  was  issued  to  the  officers  of  the  companies  then 
organized  to  meet  at  Ottumwa  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 
regimental  organization.  The  meeting  was  held  June  5th,  at 
which  time  Fitz  Henry  Warren  was  elected  Colonel,  Charles  E. 
Moss  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Edwin  W.  Chamberlain  Major.  The 
regimental  organization  commenced  at  this  date,  June  5th, 

1861. 

At  an  extra  session  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  held 
about  May  15th,  a  joint  resolution  was  passed  tendering  these 
ten  companies  to  the  Secretary  of  War  as  an  independent  regi 
ment.  It  was  the  second  regiment  of  cavalry  mustered  into 
the  United  States  service  during  the  rebellion.  The  First  Illi 
nois  Cavalry  was  mustered  in  a  few  days  before. 

In  the  raising,  recruiting,  and  the  acceptance  into  service  of 
the  regiment,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  E.  Moss  was  most  in 
defatigable  in  his  efforts,  as  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  him, 
under  date  of  Springfield,  Missouri,  July  3d,  1885,  will  show: 
"  I  issued  advertisements,  sent  oat  handbills,  calling  for  volun 
teers  to  fill  a  regiment,  the  week  we  heard  of  the  firing  on  Fort 
Sumter,  and  in  May  attended  the  session  of  the  Legislature  and 
lobbied  through  the  resolution  tendering  it  to  the  Government ; 
and  was  present,  in  fact  called  the  meeting  at  Ottumwa  in 
June  that  organized  it,  secured  the  commissions  for  field  offi 
cers,  and  finally  procured  its  acceptance.  I  selected  ten  of  the 
companies  comprising  the  regiment.  Of  course  I  cannot  avoid 
feeling  an  interest  in  the  First  Iowa  boys.  My  health  is  not 
good,  I  am  getting  old,  and  begin  to  feel  that  my  race  is  al 
most  run.  I  would  like  much  to  meet  my  old  comrades  once 
more  this  side  the  River,  and  am  living  in  hope  to  do  so." 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss  died  recently,  (June,  1888,)  and 
will  meet  the  4tBoys  of  the  Old  First"  he  so  kindly  held  in  re 
membrance  on  the  other  u  side  the  River. 

By  an  act  of  Congress,  approved  July  29th,  the  number  of 
companies  constituting  a  cavalry  regiment  was  increased  to 
twelve.  This  was  pleasing  intelligence  for  those  who  had  en- 


30  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

listed  for  the  First  Cavalry  but  were  unable  to  obtain  admis 
sion  because  the  regiment  was  filled  to  its  maximum  strength. 
Arrangements  were  at  once  made  for  the  organization  of  the 
two  companies,  to  be  designated  as  Companies  L  and  M. 

COMPANY  L 

Was  recruited  by  Lieutenant  H.  H.  Heath  and  Sergeant 
James  M.  Simeral,  Company  G,  and  Sergeant  D.  C.  Mclntyre, 
Company  B.  The  men  wTere  mostly  enrolled  in  the  counties 
of  Dubuque,  Jackson  and  Jones,  coming  from  nearly  the  same 
localities  as  that  of  Company  G.  The  company  was  organized 
with  H.  H.  Heath  as  Captain ;  and  D.  C.  Mclntyre,  after 
ward  Captain,  First,  and  James  M.  Simeral,  afterward  First 
Lieutenant,  Second  Lieutenants,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  September  23d,  1861.  No  further  in 
formation  as  to  the  formation  of  this  company  has  been  re 
ceived. 

COMPANY  M. 

THE  ' '  BLACK  PLUME  RANGERS" 

Were  composed  of  many  of  those  men  who  were  unable  to 
join  Company  B,  and  enrolled  principally  in  the  county  of 
Clinton.  It  was  organized  with  W.  H.  Ankeny  as  Captain  ; 
James  Crissy  First,  and  James  P.  Crosby,  afterward  Captain, 
Second  Lieutenants.  It  went  into  quarters  September  2d, 
and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  September 
12th,  1861,  at  Davenport. 

This  company  had  been  recruited  for  the  First  Regiment,  but 
was  not  accepted  because  it  already  had  its  complement  of  ten 
companies,  and  the  company  had  been  ordered  to  Davenport  to 
become  a  part  of  the  Second  Iowa  Cavalry.  When  the  order 
wras  received  increasing  cavalry  regiments  to  twelve  companies, 
measures  were  taken  which  resulted  in  ordering  this  company 
to  Burlington  and  becoming,  in  accordance  with  the  original 
design  of  both  officers  and  men,  a  part  of  the  First  Cavalry. 
The  addition  of  this  company  to  the  regiment  completed  its 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  31 

organization,  and  it  now  numbered  one  thousand  and  ninety-five 
men  rank  and  file.  Soon  after  additional  enlistments  increased 
the  number  to  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-five. 

Upon  completing  the  organization  of  the  field  and  staff,  the 
officers  were  as  follows  : 

Fitz  Henry  Warren,   Colonel. 

Charles  E.  Moss,   Lieutenant  Colonel. 

Edwin  E.  Chamberlain  and  James  O.  Gower,  (the  latter 
promoted  from  Captain  Company  F,)  Majors. 

M.  B.  Cochran,   Surgeon  ;    D.  B.  Allen,  Assistant  Surgeon. 

James   Latham,   Chaplain. 

Dr.   Joseph  C.   Stone,   Adjutant. 

Martin  L.   Morris,   Quartermaster. 

D.  A.  Kerr,  Company  A,  J.  S.  Edsall,  Company  B,  and  J. 
M.  Bryan,  Company  D,  Battalion  Adjutants. 

John  A.  Landis,  Company  I,  W.  H.  Mussy,  Company  K, 
and  C.  A.  Case,  Company  M,  Battalion  Quartermasters. 

The  regiment  owned  its  horses  and  horse  equipments,  receiv 
ing  from  the  Government  forty  cents  per  day  for  use  and  risk 
of  each  horse.  It  was  composed  almost  entirely  of  educated 
young  men,  from  twenty  to  thirty-five  years  of  age,  as  is  shown 
by  the  records  of  veteran  re-enlistments.  The  average  age  of 
six  hundred  and  fifteen  examined  at  the  time  of  veteran  re- 
enlistment  was  twenty-five  and  three-fourths  years,  and  it  is 
safe  to  estimate  that  one-half  of  the  men  in  the  regiment  were 
as  patriotic  and  worthy  to  have  filled  the  offices  as  were  those 
who  had  been  chosen.  All  the  trades  and  professions  were 
represented  in  the  ranks,  and  it  was  prepared  for  any  emergen 
cy.  Many  were  appointed  to  honorable  and  responsible  posi 
tions,  while  others  received  promotions  in  other  regiments, 
performing  all  their  duties  with  credit  to  themselves  and  honor 
to  the  old  First  Cavalry. 

In  view  of  the  intelligent  character  of  the  regiment,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  Fitz  Henry  Warren  was  elected  as  its  com- 


32  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

manding  officer.  The  following  brief  history  of  Colonel  War 
ren  is  taken  from  ' '  Iowa  in  War  Times, "  by  S.  H.  M.  Byers, 
Adjutant  of  the  Fifth  Iowa  Infantry  Volunteers  : 

4 'Brevet  Major  General  Fitz  Henry  Warren  was  one  of  the 
ablest  and  most  accomplished  men  of  the  State  when  the  war 
came  on.  He  came  west  to  Burlington  after  a  business  career 
in  Massachusetts,  in  the  summer  of  1844,  and  in  1849  Presi 
dent  Taylor  appointed  him  Assistant  Postmaster  General.  The 
excellent  judgment  with  which  he  performed  the  important  duties 
of  his  position  attracted  very  general  attention,  and  his  name  and 
character  rapidly  became  a  credit  to  the  State.  When  Mi  Hard 
Fillmore  signed  the  fugitive  slave  law,  Warren  threw  up  his  ap 
pointment  and  left  the  service  of  the  Administration.  This 
refusal  to  be  a  party  to  a  policy  so  inhuman,  and  so  liable  to 
drift  the  country  into  eventual  disaster,  made  Fitz  Henry  War 
ren  a  popular  man,  and  he  was  soon  selected  as  one  of  the  promi 
nent  managers  in  the  campaign  for  General  Scott.  In  the 
campaign  of  1860,  also,  he  became  prominent,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  eloquent  supporters  of  Mr.  Lincoln  before  the  people. 
After  the  election  his  former  position  in  the  Cabinet  as  Assist 
ant  Postmaster  General  was  tendered  him,  but  he  declined,  he 
preferring  to  enter  the  military  service  of  his  country  as  a  cav 
alry  officer  of  volunteers." 

At  the  time  the  war  broke  out  he  was  associate  editor  of  the 
New  York  Tribune,  and  was  one  of  the  ablest  journalists  in  the 
United  States.  Warren  was  very  impulsive,  independent  in 
action,  brave  and  honorable,  with  a  heart  full  of  sympathy 
and  affection.  Knowing  the  character  and  ability  of  his 
men,  he  was  supremely  proud  of  his  regiment,  and  his  as 
signment  to  the  command  was  received  with  much  pleasure 
by  all,  officers  and  men.  A  little  incident  which  happened 
at  Sedalia  aptly  illustrates  his  feeling  upon  this  point,  A  Mis 
souri  militia  Colonel  was  in  command  of  the  post,  When  the 
regiment  went  into  camp  at  that  place  this  Colonel,  a  ' c  recon 
structed"  rebel,  who  had  heard  of  the  summary  manner  in 


Col,  FITZ  HENRY  WARREN, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  33 

which  the  regiment  treated  his  former  friends  in  the  various  parts 
of  Missouri,  made  same  abusive  and  disreputable  remarks  in 
relation  to  the  regiment.  Colonel  Warren  heard  of  it,  and 
without  delay  called  on  the  militia  Colonel.  Among  other 
things  during  the  interview  he  said  :  k '  Colonel,  I  have  with  me 
a  thousand  men  more  capable  of  commanding  a  regiment  than 
you  are1 '  — ending  with  his  usual  expletive,  4  4  G-d  d — n  you  ! ' % 
The  Missouri  Colonel  made  no  further  remarks  about  the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry. 

Quite  a  number  of  the  officers  of  the  regiment  were  among 
the  noted  and  talented  politicians  of  the  State. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss  had  been  a  cavalryman  in  the  Mex-. 
ican  war,  and  was  a  noted  orator  of  Lee  county,  of  intensely 
radical  opinions. 

Judge  William  E.  Leffingwell,  Captain  of  Company  B,  was 
one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  in  the  State,  and  one  of  the  finest  ora 
tors  in  the  Democratic  party. 

P.  Gad  Bryan,  Captain  of  Company  D,  was  a  lawyer  by 
profession,  and  a  popular  Democrat,  from  the  southern  part  of 
the  State.  uOf  a  generous  nature,  addicted  to  joining  the 
Church  once  in  awhile,  it  was  almost  impossible  to  defeat  him 
when  he  ran  for  office,  which  he  frequently  did.11 

William  Thompson,  Captain  Company  F,  had  been  a  mem 
ber  of  Congress,  and  connected  with  the  leading  Democratic 
journal  of  the  State.  M  After  his  party  lost  the  reins  of  power, 
it  was  usual  for  him  to  preside  at  its  State  conventions,  or  take 
a  prominent  part  therein,  much  to  the  disgust  of  Judge  McFar- 
lane,  of  Boone  county.1' 

Daniel  Anderson,  Captain  Company  H,  was  an  acknowledged 
political  leader  in  his  section,  and  long  represented  his  district 
in  the  State  Senate. 

Robert  L.  Freeman,  Captain  Company  K,  had  been  a  soldier 
in  the  Mexican  war,  and  was  well  and  favorably  known  in  po 
litical  warfare  in  Clayton  and  adjoining  counties. 

H.    H.    Heath,    Captain   Company  L,   was   a  leader  in   the 

•5 


34  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Breckinridge  wing  of  the  Democracy,  and  quite  belligerent;  he 
however  yielded  to  the  circumstances.  ; "  His  fealty  to  his 
Government  outweighed  the  fealty  to  party,  and  he  manfully 
left  it  at  the  call  of  patriotism.." 

After  the  arrival  of  our  troopers  in  Biirlington,  they  were 
engaged  in  building  barracks  for  themselves,  making  shoes  for 
their  horses,  and  otherwise  preparing  for  the  life  of  a  soldier. 
We  have  reason  for  saying  that  their  camp  life  was  not  wholly 
devoid  of  sunshine  and  merriment,  and  that  they  had  quickly 
learned  one  of  the  first  duties  of  a  soldier — to  complain  of  the 
quality  of  his  rations — for,  quoting  from  Captain  S.  S.  Bur- 
dett's  (Company  B)  diary,  we  find  that  on  August  6th  the  regi 
ment  was  ordered  to  Keokuk  to  prevent,  as  reported,  a  raid 
from  the  rebels  on  the  Missouri  border.  The  raid,  however, 
did  not  materialize.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Keokuk  August 
8th,  and  this  is  what  the  Captain  says  in  relation  to  rations  : 
••August  8th,  company  reached  Keokuk.  'Hard  sledding,' 
short  rations  and  poor  in  quality.  August  9th,  Keokuk  ;  musty 
bread,  maggoty  bacon,  short  of  hay,  musty  corn.  Saturday. 
August  10th,  row  among  all  the  companies  about  rations  ;  com 
panies  left  dress  parade  on  double  quick,  shouting  bread.  Sun 
day,  August  llth.  rations  improved."  On  Monday  they 
marched  for  Burlington,  arriving  at  that  place  on  the  13th. 

About  this  time  Captain  William  Thompson,  Captain  Com 
pany  E.  by  order  of  Colonel  Warren,  visited  St.  Louis  for 
the  purpose  of  tendering  the  services  of  the  regiment  to  Major 
General  Fremont.  Colonel  Thompson  writes  as  follows  in  ref 
erence  to  the  matter  : 

"Some  time  after  the  regiment  had  been  fully  organized 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  it  moved  to  Keo 
kuk  in  order  to  be  near  the  field  of  anticipated  conflict  and  to 
await  further  orders.  A  few  days  after  our  arrival  at  Keokuk. 
I  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Warren  to  St.  Louis,  with  instruc 
tions  to  present  in  his  name  as  Colonel  thereof  the  regiment, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  35 

already  mounted  on  their  own  horses  and  equipments,  to  Major 
General  John  C.  Fremont,  whose  headquarters  were  then  at  St. 
Louis,  and  if  the  regiment  was  accepted  by  him,  to  procure 
from  him  the  means  of  clothing,  arming  and  equipping  it.  In 
about  a  week  from  the  time  I  made  known  to  General  Fremont 
the  object  of  my  visit,  I  was  informed  officially  by  his  Quarter 
master  General  that  the  General  would  not  receive  the  regi 
ment  unless  it  would  sell  its  horses  to  the  Government  at  $119 
a  head  for  such  as  would  pass  inspection.  As  the  law  then 
allowed  cavalrymen  and  officers  to  own  their  horses  and  horse 
equipments,  and  to  receive  ample  pay  for  their  use  and  risk, 
and  as  our  horses  had  cost  on  an  average  over  $150  a  head,  I 
appealed  from  the  General's  decision  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 
Colonel  Warren  ordered  me  to  proceed  to  Washington  with  the 
appeal,  and  if  necessary  to  oft'er  the  regiment  to  General  Mc- 
Clellan,  who  was  organizing  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  At 
Washington  I  presented  the  case  to  Secretary  Cameron,  who 
referred  me  to  his  Assistant,  the  Hon.  Tom  Scott,  who  at  first 
thought  General  Fremont  was  right,  but  when  1  produced  the 
law  he  overruled  General  Fremont's  decision,  and  issued  a  per 
emptory  order  to  the  General  to  receive  the  regiment  with  their 
horses  and  horse  equipments,  and  to  pay  forty  cents  a  day  for 
the  use  and  risk  of  each. 

k '  In  about  six  weeks,  having  performed  the  duties  assigned  me 
as  far  as  I  was  able,  I  rejoined  my  regiment,  then  in  quarters 
at  Camp  Benton,  near  St.  Louis,  Missouri." 

The  twboys"  were  rapidly  endeavoring  to  become  expert 
horsemen,  and  frequently  put  their  horses  on  their  mettle,  re 
gardless  of  time  or  place.  This  exercise  became  so  frequent 
that  the  following  order  was  issued  to  correct  this  milithri/ 
irregularity  : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  REGIMENT  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

CAMP  WARREN,  August  18th.  1861. 

CAPTAIN  GOWER: — Your  attention  is  called  to  the  following-  order  in 
force  in  this  command,  and  you  will  aid  in  its  strict  enforcement : 


36  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

• '  To  avoid  injury  to  horses  from  improper  riding,  each  com  pany 
will  water  its  horses  at  water  call,  in  charge  of  one  of  the  company  ser 
geants,  who  will  not  permit  the  horses  to  be  ridden  faster  than  a  walk 
to  and  from  the  place  of  watering  ;  and  in  no  case  will  any  soldiers  be 
permitted  to  run  their  horses  through  camp,  or  through  the  streets  of 
the  city  or  town  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  camp,  except  when  under 
the  command  of  a  commissioned  or  non-commissioned  officer.11 

By  command  of  Colonel  commanding. 

H.  H.  HEATH,   Adjutant. 

It  appears  from  the  text  of  the  order  that  the  "boys"  could 
speed  their  horses  at  any  time  and  place  providing  they  were 
under  the  command  of  a  commissioned  or  non-commissioned 
officer,  and  that  the  officers  were  not  debarred  from  partici 
pating  in  the  sport. 

They  remained  in  rendezvous  at  Burlington,  drilling  and  do 
ing  camp  duty,  until  September  30th,  at  which  time  they  were 
ordered  to  St.  Louis.  On  that  day  six  companies  embarked 
on  the  steamer  Jennie  Whipple,  with  their  horses  on  barges. 
On  arriving  at  Montrose  they  re-embarked  on  the  steamer  Han 
nibal  City,  and  arrived  at  St.  Louis  October  2d  at  about  four 
o'clock  p.  M.  Here  they  disembarked  and  marched  to  Benton 
Barracks.  The  other  companies  except  L  and  M  followed,  ar 
riving  at  the  Barracks  from  twenty-four  to  forty-eight  hours 
later. 

Says  a  member  of  Company  C  :  ^  The  following  incidents 
occurred  on  the  trip  to  St.  Louis.  After  passing  Alton,  Illi 
nois,  we  were  fired  upon  by  a  man  on  the  bluff.  The  shot  was 
aimed  at  a  group  of  us  sitting  around  the  pilot  house.  It  was 
well  aimed,  but  the  ball  fell  short  and  struck  the  barge  among 
the  horses,  and  imbedded  itself  in  the  timber.  Edwin  W.  Deal, 
our  saddler,  while  attempting  to  saddle  his  horse,  fell  overboard 
and  was  drowned." 

Companies  L  and  M  remained  in  camp  at  Burlington  until 
October  13th,  on  account  of  a  delay  in  the  furnishing  of  their 
uniforms  and  horse  equipments,  and  arrived  at  Benton  Barracks 
October  17th.  At  this  time  Major  General  John  C.  Fremont 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  37 

was  in  command  of  the  Western  Department,  comprising  the 
States  of  Missouri,  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Kansas,  and  the  Terri 
tories  west  of  these  States.  His  headquarters  were  at  St.  Louis. 
The  State  of  Missouri  at  this  time  was  the  great  battle  field  of 
the  West,  and  the  warfare  was  carried  on  by  an  organized  army 
and  by  lawless  marauders,  principally  by  the  latter,  the  State 
becoming  one  vast  theater  of  pillage,  arson  and  murder.  The 
slaveholding  power  was  in  the  ascendancy.  The  want  of  suc 
cess  of  our  armies  in  the  East,  and  the  victories  gained  in  the 
West  at  such  fearful  costs,  were  a  source  of  alarm  and  distress 
to  the  loyal  people  of  the  North.  Fremont,  believing  success 
to  be  a  duty,  had  taken  the  field  in  person  and  was  "  making 
slavery  feel  the  war."  He  was  at  Springfield  with  an  army  of 
about  20,000  men,  while  Generals  Price,  Van  Dorn  and  others 
confronted  him  with  a  superior  force  at  Keitsville  and  vicinity, 
about  twenty-five  miles  distant  to  the  south.  Brigadier  General 
John  Pope,  with  one  division  of  Fremont's  army,  was  at  Jef 
ferson  City  ;  Major  General  David  Hunter,  with  another  divis 
ion,  was  at  Versailles,  a  town  about  twenty  miles  south  from 
the  Pacific  railroad,  both  under  marching  orders  to  reinforce 
Fremont,  while  other  divisions  of  the  army  were  located  at 
other  convenient  points.  On  the  18th  the  first  battalion  of  the 
regiment — Companies  A,  B,  F  and  G,  under  command  of  Cap 
tain  Leffingwell,  Company  B — was  ordered  to  report  to  General 
Pope,  then  on  the  march  to  Springfield.  Having  been  .fur 
nished  with  revolvers  and  sabers,  they  embarked  on  the  steamer 
South- Western  and  another  Missouri  river  steamer,  and  arrived 
at  Jefferson  City  on  the  20th,  going  into  camp  at  "Camp 
Price."  On  the  25th  the  battalion  marched  by  the  way  of  Cal 
ifornia  and  Syracuse  to  Otter ville,  arriving  at  that  place  on  the 
26th.  On  the  27th  it  was  ordered  to  escort  a  supply  train,  and 
at  Humansville  joined  the  army  under  General  Pope,  at  which 
time  it  was  ordered  to  report  to  him  as  his  body  guard. 

From  this  place,  on  November  1st,  a  forced  march  was  made 
to  Springfield,  in  obedience  to  an  order  from  General  Fremont, 


38  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

who  had  received  intelligence  that  General  Price  and  his  forces 
were  about  to  attack  him.  General  Pope  with  his  command 
reached  Springfield  about  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
3d,  but  no  attack  was  made  upon  that  place. 

At  this  time,  November  2d,  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy. 
General  Fremont  was  removed  from  the  command  of  the  De 
partment — superceded  by  Major  General  David  Hunter,  who 
was  at  that  time  marching  upon  another  road  to  reinforce  Gen 
eral  Fremont.  On  assuming  command  of  the  army,  General 
Hunter,  by  the  advice,  not  positive  order,  it  is  said,  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln,  ordered  the  evacuation  of  Springfield,  and  a 
return  of  the  troops  to  the  Missouri  river.  This  disgraceful 
act  on  the  part  of  General  Fremont's  superiors,  as  intended, 
was  exceedingly  humiliating  to  him,  and  a  most  bitter  disap 
pointment  to  his  men.  They  expected  and  desired  to  be  led 
by  their  favorite  commander  against  Price  and  his  rebel  hordes, 
then  but  a  few  miles  to  the  south.  Fremont  had  been  too  pro 
nounced  in  his  views  as  to  the  employment  of  slaves  in  assisting 
to  crush  the  rebellion,  and  his  fate  was  thus  sealed. 

•  •  Thy  error,  Fremont,  simply  was  to  act 
A  brave  man's  part,  without  the  statesman's  tact. 
And  taking1  counsel  but  of  common  sense. 
To  strike  at  cause  as  well  as  consequence.11 

The  chase  after  the  rebel  army  was  relinquished.  The  k  k  boys'1 
in  sore  disappointment  countermarched  to  the  Missouri  river. 
The  army  was  virtually  disbanded,  and  the  southern  portion  of 
the  State,  for  several  months,  abandoned  to  Price  and  his  fol 
lowers. 

By  the  time  Major  General  Hunter  reached  the  Pacific  rail 
road  he  was  superceded  by  Major  General  H.  W.  Hal  leek, 
v  Springfield  was  evacuated,  and  on  the  9th  the  return  march, 
with  rations  nearly  exhausted,  with  no  supply  trains  near,  was 
commenced.  The  battalion,  followed  by  the  army,  camped  on 
the  10th  three  miles  distant  south  from  the  town  of  Bolivar, 
the  count}'  seat  of  Polk  county,  on  the  road  leading  from 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Springfield  to  Warsaw.  On  the  1 1th.  eight  miles  distant  south 
of  Quincy,  a  town  in  the  northern  portion  of  Hickory  county. 
On  the  12th,  eight  miles  south  from  the  town  of  Warsaw,  the 
county  seat  of  Benton  county,  on  the  Little  Pomme  de  Terre 
river.  On  the  13th,  two  miles  north  of  Warsaw,  on  the  edge 
of  a  prairie,  on  a  branch  of  Cole  Camp  creek,  near  the  little 
town  of  Orange.  On  the  14th,  about  twelve  miles  north  from 
Warsaw,  on  Cole  Camp  creek.  On  the  15th,  four  miles  south 
from  Smithton,  near  the  old  camping  ground  of  the  battalion. 
On  the  16th,  two  miles  west  from  Otterville,  a  small  town  on 
the  Pacific  railroad,  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  Cooper 
county — the  weather  cold  and  freezing.  On  the  17th  it  arrived 
at  Syracuse,  a  little  town  also  on  the  Pacific  railroad,  in  the 
northeastern  portion  of  Morgan  county,  going  into  camp  about 
two  miles  south  of  the  town.  It  remained  here  until  Saturday, 
December  14th,  doing  scouting  duty,  etc..  the  active  and  labo 
rious  duty  of  which  will  be  seen  by  noting  a  few  instances  of 
the  labor  performed. 

On  November  20th  a  party  was  sent  out  in  the  direction  of 
Jonesburg  :  •*  Marched  all  night  and  arrived  in  the  town  on 
the  morning  of  the  21st."  On  the  same  day  it  was  in  camp 
near  Muddy  Creek,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  receipt 
given  by  Major  (Captain)  Leffingwell  for  corn  : 

CAMP  NEAR  MUDDY  CREEK,  Mo., 

November  21st,  1861. 

Received  of  John  Rutherford  thirty  bushels  of  corn,  which  I  certify 
was  absolutely  necessary  for  the  public  service. 

(Signed.)  W.  E.  LEFFINGWELL, 

Major  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

The  scouting  party  returned  to  camp  at  Syracuse  about  mid 
night  the  21st. 

December  5th,  a  scouting  party  commanded  by  Captain  Lef- 
migwell  was  ordered  out  in  the  direction  of  Warsaw,  and 
camped  in  a  severe  snow  storm  ten  miles  south  from  the  little 
town  of  Cole  Camp,  in  Benton  county.  A  force  of  1,500  reb- 


40  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

els  was  reported  at  Warsaw.  The  command  entered  the  town 
about  ten  A.  M.  of  the  7th,  but  found  no  enemy.  On  the  9th, 
about  ten  p.  M.,  it  returned  to  camp,  "completely  tired  out.'1 

On  the  9th,  another  party  of  150  men,  commanded  by  Cap 
tain  P.  Gad  Bryan,  Company  D,  was  sent  out,  returning  at 
midnight  of  the  10th. 

On  the  12th,  all  of  the  available  force  of  Companies  B  and 
G  were  ordered  out  with  three  days'  rations. 

Soon  after  the  first  battalion  had  been  ordered  from  Benton 
Barracks  into  the  field,  Companies  C  and  H,  Captain  Levi 
Chace  commanding,  were  ordered  to  Jefferson  City,  by  boat, 
and  from  there  to  Rockport,  a  small  town  on  the  Missouri  river, 
about  forty  miles  northwest  from  Jefferson  City.  Here  they 
disembarked  and  joined  the  command  of  General  Prentice  in  a 
campaign  into  northern  Missouri,  scouting  the  country  in  the 
vicinity  of  Roanoke,  Renick,  Columbia,  and  other  places  ;  after 
which  they  returned  to  Jefferson  City,  where  they  remained 
during  the  winter  under  the  command  of  Major  Jas.  O.  Gower. 

A  few  days  after  Companies  C  and  H  left  Benton  Barracks, 
Companies  D  and  I,  under  command  of  Captain  J.  W.  Cald- 
well,  Company  I,  were  ordered  into  the  field,  to  report  to  Gen 
eral  Pope.  They  joined  the  first  battalion  at  Syracuse,  a  small 
town  situated  on  the  Pacific  railroad,  in  Morgan  county. 

Soon  afterward  Company  I  was  ordered  to  escort  a  supply 
train  for  General  Fremont  at  Springfield.  Arriving  at  Ver 
sailles,  the  county  seat  of  Morgan  county,  situated  about  twenty 
miles  to  the  south  of  Syracuse,  the  order  was  countermanded. 
The  company  countermarched  and  joined  Companies  A,  B,  I), 
F  and  G  at  Syracuse. 

December  10th.  while  in  camp  at  Syracuse,  Captain  William 
M.  G.  Torrence,  Company  A,  having  been  previously  (October 
26th)  commissioned  Major,  assumed  command  of  the  battalion. 
This  was  a  great  disappointment  not  only  to  Captain  Leffing- 
well,  but  to  all  the  companies  in  the  field.  It  was  generally 
supposed  that  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss  would  resign  as  soon  as 


CAPTAIN  H.  8.  HEBERLING, 
Late  Amb.  Off.  and  A.  A.  Q.  M.  2nd  Cav.  Div.  Mil.  Div.  of  the  Gulf. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  41 

the  regiment  arrived  at  Benton  Barracks,  that  Captain  Torrence 
would  be  promoted  to  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Captain  Leffing- 
well  promoted  to  Major.  But  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss  did 
not  resign,  and  Captain  Torrence  was  accordingly  promoted  to 
Major. 

On  the  14th  the  battalion,  with  the  exception  of  the  greater 
portions  of  Companies  B  and  G,  who  had  been  ordered  out  on 
the  12th  as  a  scouting  party,  marched  in  command  of  Major  Tor 
rence  to  join  General  Pope's  forces  at  Sedalia,  in  an  expedition 
for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  a  number  of  large  bodies  of  re 
cruits  on  their  way  to  join  the  rebel  army  under  General  Price 
at  Osceola,  the  county  seat  of  St.  Clair  county.  It  arrived  at 
Sedalia  about  twelve  M.  of  the  15th. 

General  Pope's  forces  consisted  of  two  brigades,  numbering 
about  four  thousand  men,  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery.  The 
first  brigade  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Jefferson  C.  Davis, 
Twenty-Second  Indiana  Infantry,  and  the  second  by  Colonel 
(afterward  Major  General)  Fred  Steele,  Eighth  Iowa  Infantry. 
The  command  marched  on  the  afternoon  of  the  15th  in  a  south 
erly  direction,  on  the  road  leading  to  Warsaw,  in  order  to 
deceive  the  enemy  as  to  the  destination  of  the  expedition.  The 
march  was  continued  on  this  road  for  a  distance  of  eleven  miles. 
On  the  16th  the  line  of  march  was  changed  to  the  west,  and 
after  marching  about  twenty-three  miles  the  command  camped 
at  a  place  on  Post  Oak  creek,  between  two  roads  leading  from 
Warrensburgh,  the  county  seat  of  Johnson  county,  to  Clinton, 
the  county  seat  of  Henry  county — one  road  leading  by  the  way 
of  Post  Oak  and  Cornelia,  and  the  other  by  way  of  Chilhowe. 
Many  prisoners  were  brought  in  during  the  day. 

Just  as  the  battalion  had  arrived  in  camp,  it  was  ordered  out 
to  the  town  of  Chilhowe,  about  five  miles  distant.  Here  the 
advance  guard,  under  command  of  Sergeant  J.  H.  Springer, 
Company  I,  captured  the  enemy's  pickets.  Arriving  in  the 
town  it  was  ascertained  that  1,500  of  the  enemy  were  in  camp 

about  five  miles  distant. 

6 


42  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Major  Torrence  sent  a  dispatch  to  General  Pope  informing 
him  of  the  facts,  and  requested  that  reinforcements  be  sent  him. 
Five  hundred  men,  with  two  sections  of  the  Missouri  Light 
Artillery,  were  ordered  out.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  reinforce 
ments  the  march  was  continued  all  night,  arriving  at  the  little 
town  of  Rose  Hill,  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  Johnson 
county,  about  four  A.  M.  on  the  17th.  Here  information  was 
received  that  the  enemy,  with  a  train  of  twelve  wagons,  had 
passed  through  this  place  at  about  eleven  o'clock  on  the  pre 
vious  night.  At  seven  A.  M.  the  pursuit  was  continued  in  a 
southerly  direction  all  day,  and  frequent  skirmishes  occurred. 
On  arriving  at  Grand  river  it  was  ascertained  that  3, 000  of  the 
enemy  had  camped  there  the  previous  night ;  crossing  the  river 
at  daylight,  they  were  intending  to  reach  Price's  army  at  Os- 
ceola  during  the  day.  At  dark  the  command  countermarched. 
Marching  all  night,  it  halted  about  four  A.  M.  of  the  18th 
for  --rest  and  feed." 

Having  received  orders  from  General  Pope,  the  detachment 
marched  for  Warrensburgh,  arriving  at  that  place  at  four  p.  M. 
the  same  day.  The  entire  force  was  in  camp  at  this  place. 

From  Warrensburg  the  command  marched  at  eight  A.  M, 
Thursday,  December  19th,  in  an  easterly  direction  by  the  way 
of  Knob  Noster  to  Sedalia.  It  was  while  on  this  march  that 
intelligence  was  received  of  a  large  rebel  force  in  camp  on 
Black  river,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Clear  forks,  about  twelve 
miles  distant  to  the  north.  A  small  force  was  ordered  out,  the 
camp  found,  and  the  engagement  of  Blackwater  ensued. 

BATTLE  OF  BLACKWATER. 

The  first  battle  in  which  any  portion  of  the  regiment  was  en 
gaged  occurred  on  Thursday,  the  19th  of  December,  1861,  on 
Black  river,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Clear  forks,  near  the  little 
town  of  Milford,  situated  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  John 
son  county,  Missouri. 

The  names  given  this  engagement  are  "  Blackwater,"  "Mil- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  43 

ford"  and  "  Kirk  Patrick' s  Mills. "  At  this  time  Companies  A, 
D,  F  and  I,  with  small  detachments  of  Companies  B  and  G — the 
larger  portions  of  B  and  G,  as  before  noted,  having  been  sent 
out  on  the  12th  on  scouting  duty,  were  not  present  with  the 
command  at  this  time.  Three  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  under  command  of  Major  Torrence,  and 
two  companies,  D  and  — ,  seventy-five  men,  of  the  Fourth 
United  States  Cavalry,  under  command  of  Lieutenants  Gordon 
and  Amory  respectively,  with  a  section  of  the  Missouri  Light 
Artillery,  all  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Jefferson  C.  Davis, 
of  the  Twenty-Second  Indiana  Infantry  Volunteers,  attacked  and 
captured  a  rebel  camp  numbering  1,300  men,  infantry  and  cav 
alry,  with  all  the  camp  equipage,  under  Colonels  Robinson, 
McGoffin  and  Alexander,  recruits  from  northern  Missouri  on 
their  way  to  join  the  rebel  army.  The  following  is  a  brief  de 
scription  of  the  engagement  and  result. 

As  our  force  approached  the  enemy's  pickets,  stationed  at 
some  little  distance  from  a  bridge  over  Black  river,  an  attack 
was  made  and  a  running  fight  ensued.  On  arriving  at  the 
bridge  it  was  found  to  be  well  guarded  by  an  additional  force 
and  quite  a  skirmish  took  place.  Here  we  lost  one  man  killed 
and  two  or  three  wounded.  The  bridge,  however,  was  soon  in 
our  possession,  and  the  running  fight  continued,  until  at  three 
p.  M.  "we  were  right  upon  their  camp  and  received  a  full  vol 
ley  from  the  enemy. ' '  Their  camp  being  located  in  the  woody 
bottom  land,  covered  with  underbrush,  and  as  the  First  Iowa 
were  armed  with  only  pistols  and  sabers,  it  could  be  of  no  ser 
vice  in  such  a  locality,  so  was  ordered  to  withdraw  and  form  in 
line  a  short  distance  from  the  woods.  A  short,  sharp  fight  en 
sued  between  the  United  States  Cavalry,  who  were  armed  with 
carbines,  and  the  enemy.  After  which  a  party  bearing  a  flag 
of  truce  appeared  advancing  from  the  woods  toward  the  com 
mand.  This  party  were  met  by  a  party  sent  out  by  Major 
Torrence.  The  following  account  of  the  interview  had  with 
the  enemy  and  the  subsequent  surrender  is  taken  from  the  diary 


44  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

of  Lieutenant  D.  A.  Kerr,  Adjutant  of  the  battalion,  who  was 
present  at  the  time. 

When  the  parties  met  the  enemy  enquired,  • c  Under  what 
flag  are  you  fighting?"  Reply  :  "Under  the  flag  of  the  Uni 
ted  States — the  stars  and  stripes. ' '  Enemy  :  k  l  We  flght  under 
the  flag  of  the  Confederate  States,"  and  then  they  returned  to 
their  camp.  About  ten  minutes  afterward  another  party  bear 
ing  a  flag  of  truce  appeared  and  was  met  as  before.  They 
asked  for  an  hour  to  decide  whether  or  not  to  surrender.  Col 
onel  Davis  replied  :  k  l  Not  one  minute,  and  depend  upon  it  we 
will  spill  the  last  drop  of  blood  before  we  are  through.  We 
do  not  wish  to  sacrifice  the  lives  of  our  men  without  it  is  neces 
sary,  but  I  demand  immediate  and  unconditional  surrender." 
The  interview  closed  and  the  party  returned  to  camp.  In  a 
few  minutes  the  party  returned,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Rob 
inson,  the  commander  of  the  rebel  force.  Advancing,  he  said  : 
"Sir,  I  surrender  to  you  my  command,  with  all  my  transporta 
tion,  and  hope  you  will  treat  us  as  prisoners  of  war."  Colonel 
Davis  replied,  ' c  I  hope  you  will  find  us  gentlemen  as  well  as 
soldiers. ' '  The  enemy  soon  afterward  marched  ont  and  formed 
in  line,  and  we  passed  by  and  presented  arms.  We  returned 
to  camp  that  night  with  1,195  prisoners,  men  and  officers, 
among  whom  were  Colonels  Robinson,  McGoffin  and  Alexander. 
Seventy-three  wagons,  five  hundred  horses  and  mules,  eleven 
hundred  rifles  and  shotguns,  one  hundred  pistols,  besides  a 
large  quantity  of  commissary  stores,  ammunition,  etc.,  were 
captured.  A  portion  of  their  cavalry  escaped.  Captain  Mc 
Queen  with  a  detachment  of  Company  A  pursued  them  for  some 
miles,  and  succeeded  in  taking  five  of  them  prisoners. 

In  this  engagement  the  enemy  acknowledged  a  loss  of  five 
killed  ;  number  of  wounded  unknown.  Our  loss  was  one  man 
killed  and  eight  wounded,  seven  belonging  to  Company  D, 
Fourth  Regiment  United  States  Cavalry,  and  one  belonging  to 
the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment  Indiana  Infantry,  who  had  in  some 
manner  procured  a  mule  and  joined  the  expedition  to  "  see  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  45 

fun."  ;c He  saw  it."  Brigade  Surgeon  Brodie  and  Surgeon 
M.  B.  Cochran,  who  were  on  duty  with  the  battalion,  were 
present  and  cared  for  the  wounded. 

The  circumstances  which  led  to  this  engagement  and  capture 
of  the  rebel  force  is  thus  related  by  Adjutant  D.  A.  Kerr.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  19th,  while  on  the  march,  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry  having  the  rear,  a  negro  came  running  up  and  informed 
Major  Torrence  that  "  Dar  was  more  dan  a  tousand  rebs  in  de 
bend  of  Black  ribber."  Major  Torrence,  after  listening  to  his 
storv,  questioned  him  closely,  and  was  convinced  the  man  was 
telling  the  truth,  and  with  Adjutant  Kerr  accompanied  the  ne 
gro  to  General  Pope  in  the  advance.  General  Pope,  upon 
being  informed  of  the  facts,  replied,  "Oh  yes,  another  G — d 
d— d  nigger  story.  There  is  no  rebel  force  within  forty  miles 
of  this  place."  The  Major  with  some  of  the  others  suggested 
that,  as  the  information  might  be  correct,  they  thought  it  ad 
visable  to  send  a  small  force  out  and  if  they  were  there  to  cap 
ture  them.  To  which  the  General  replied,  "Well,  if  you  want 
to  go,  you  can  go  and  make  d — d  fools  of  yourselves. "  It  was 
decided  to  go,  and  the  General  ordered  out  a  small  cavalry 
force,  with  a  section  of  the  Missouri  Light  Artillery,  under  the 
command  of  Brigade  Commander  Colonel  Jeff.  C.  Davis.  The 
cavalry  were  immediately  ordered  to  the  front,  and  left  on  a 
brisk  trot  with  the  artillery  following.  The  command  returned 
to  camp  about  midnight,  with  all  the  prisoners  and  captured 
property,  Colonel  Davis  and  Major  Torrence  reporting  at  head 
quarters.  General  Pope  was  greatly  pleased  with  the  result  of 
the  expedition,  and  complimented  both  officers  and  men  for 
such  an  overwhelming  success.  This  brilliant  little  exploit  was 
the  occasion  which  caused  the  promotion  of  Pope  to  a  Major 
General,  and  Jeff.  C.  Davis  to  a  Brigadier,  while  Major  Tor 
rence,  the  prime  mover  and  the  real  commander  of  the  expedi 
tion,  remained  a  Major  of  the  First  Cavalry. 

General  Pope,  in  his  report  to  Major  General  Halleck  of  the 
engagement  of  Blackwater,  and  of  the  expedition,  says  :  ; ;  The 


46  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

forces  under  Colonel  Davis  behaved  with  great  gallantry.  *  * 
Within  five  days  the  infantry  forces  comprising  the  expedition 
have  marched  over  one  hundred  miles  ;  the  cavalry  more  than 
double  that  distance.  *  *  The  march  alone  would  do  credit 
to  old  veterans,  and  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that  it  has 
been  performed  with  cheerfulness  and  alacrity." 

On  the  next  day  (20th),  the  prisoners  being  guarded  by  the 
infantry,  the  command  marched  for  Otterville  by  the  way  of 
Sedalia,  Georgetown,  Farmer's  City  and  Smithton,  camping 
near  Otterville  on  the  21st.  From  this  place  the  prisoners 
were  sent  to  St.  Louis.  The  battalion  remained  in  eamp  at 
Otterville,  (Companies  B  and  G  in  the  meantime  having  arrived 
from  Syracuse,)  until  December  29th,  at  which  time  Compa 
nies  A,  F,  G  and  I  marched  for  Booneville,  arriving  at  that 
place  on  the  30th.  Booneville  is  a  flourishing  town,  situated  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Missouri  river,  in  Cooper  county.  On 
the  31st,  Lieutenant  Dinsmore,  Company  I,  and  Adjutant  Kerr, 
with  a  scouting  party  of  twenty  men,  were  ordered  out  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  from  Booneville,  returning  to  camp  next 
day. 

The  location  of  the  several  companies  of  the  regiment,  Jan 
uary  1st,  1862,  was  as  follows  :  Companies  A,  F,  G  and  I  at 
Booneville,  Major  Torrence  commanding.  B  and  D  in  camp  at 
Otterville,  (headquarters  of  General  Pope,)  scouting,  doing 
provost  duty,  and  patrolling  the  Pacific  railroad,  Captain  Lef- 
fingwell  commanding.  C  and  H  at  Jefferson  City,  performing 
similar  duties  to  those  of  B  and  D,  Major  James  O.  Gower 
commanding.  E,  K,  L  and  M,  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren 
commanding,  at  Benton  Barracks,  drilling  and  preparing  for 
active  field  operations.  The  headquarters  of  the  regiment  was 
at  Benton  Barracks.  Surgeon  M.  B.  Cochran  was  in  the  field 
with  the  first  battalion,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  D.  B.  Allen  was 
at  Benton  Barracks  with  the  third  battalion.  Whenever  the 
different  companies  left  for  the  field,  the  sick  men  were  left  in 
hospital  at  Benton  Barracks.  In  reference  to  this  matter  As- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  47 

sistant  Surgeon  Allen,  now  residing  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio, 
writes  as  follows  : 

4 '  I  was  left  at  Benton  Barracks,  with  the  balance  of  the  regi 
ment  and  the  sick,  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren  in  command. 
I  received  orders  to  reconstruct  and  convert  one  of  the  build 
ings  on  the  fair  grounds  into  a  regimental  hospital,  which  I  did, 
taking  charge  of  it  during  the  winter  of  '61  and  '62  ;  and  the 
wounded  of  that  part  of  the  regiment  in  the  field  were  sent  to 
Benton  Barracks,  so  that  the  sick  of  that  portion  of  the  regi 
ment  which  remained,  and  those  that  were  sent  in  from  the 
field,  gave  us  full  wards  and  plenty  to  do.  We  had  at  that 
time  an  epidemic  of  measles,  and  those  sick  in  their  quarters, 
before  I  got  the  hospital  completed,  suffered  greatly  for  want 
of  ventilation,  and  there  was  necessarily  a  large  mortality  ;  but 
after  we  got  them  in  our  cosy  little  hospital  the  mortality  was 
much  less." 

January  4th,  by  order  of  General  Pope,  Companies  A,  F,  G 
and  I,  in  command  of  Major  Torrence,  with  four  companies  of 
4  4  Merrill's  Horse, "  (Second  Missouri  Cavalry, )  in  command  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Shaffer  and  Major  Hunt,  crossed  the  Mis 
souri  river  at  Booneville  on  the  march  to  Howard  county.  On 
the  5th  this  detachment  camped  on  the  Bonne  Femme  creek, 
about  two  miles  northeast  from  Fayette,  the  county  seat  of 
Howard  county.  At  this  place  they  were  reinforced  by  four 
companies  First  Missouri  Cavalry,  under  Major  Hubbard,  and 
one  company  Fourth  Ohio  Cavalry,  under  Captain  Foster.  On 
Sunday,  the  6th,  this  force  marched  into  the  town  of  Fayette, 
and  removed  a  rebel  flag  from  the  steeple  of  the  Court  House, 
and  in  its  place  hoisted  ' 4  Old  Glory"  to  the  breeze,  amid  ?he 
cheers  of  the  soldiers  and  a  few  of  the  loyal  citizens  who  were 
faithful  to  their  country  and  to  the  old  flag.  After  which  Ma 
jor  Hubbard  delivered  an  address,  saying  among  other  things 
for  the  especial  benefit  of  his  disloyal  hearers,  4 ;  that  if  that 
flag  was  molested  he  would  return  and  burn  the  town. "  The 
flag  was  not  molested. 


48  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

BATTLE  OF  SILVER  CREEK,  MISSOURI. 

It  had  been  reported  that  a  number  of  rebel  camps  were  be 
ing  organized  in  this  vicinity  and  this  force  had  been  sent  to 
destroy  them.  After  scouting  parties  which  had  been  sent  to 
Glasgow  and  Roanoke  had  returned  reporting  a  rebel  force  of 
eight  hundred  men  under  the  notorious  Poindexter  in  camp 
about  seven  or  eight  miles  from  Roanoke,  on  Silver  creek,  and 
after  the  arrival  of  five  companies  of  the  Fifth  Iowa  Infantry 
from  Booneville,  for  camp  guard  during  the  absence  of  the 
cavalry — this  cavalry  force  consisting  of  Companies  A,  F,  G 
and  I,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  two  hundreed  men,  Major  Torrence 
in  command,  a  part  of  Companies  B,  H,  I  and  L,  First  Mis 
souri  Cavalry,  and  Captain  Foster's  company,  Fourth  Ohio 
Cavalry,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  men,  Major 
Hubbard  in  command,  and  one  hundred  men  of  ' k  Merrill's 
Horse,"  Major  Hunt  in  command,  all  under  the  command  of 
Major  Torrence,  by  order  of  General  Pope,  marched  on  the 
8th  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  after  a  march  of  about  nine 
hours  they  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  rebel  camp.  The  at 
tack  was  made  at  half-past  four  p.  M.,  and  in  a  short  time 
' 4  the  enemy  fled  in  every  direction,  leaving  their  camp  in  our 
possession. "  All  their  camp  equipage  and  their  ' '  plunder" 
was  burned,  and  200  horses  captured.  "The  darkness  of  the 
hour  saved  them  all  from  being  taken  prisoners. "  The  enemy's 
loss  in  this  engagement  was  not  accurately  known,  but  supposed 
to  have  been  about  sixty  killed  and  one  hundred  wounded. 
Here  the  regiment  lost  its  first  man,  James  Convey,  Company 
F ;  he  was  mortally  wounded  and  died  the  next  day.  Five 
others  of  the  regiment  were  also  wounded — James  Scott  and 
Thomas  Fletcher,  Company  A ;  Stephen  M.  Sexton,  Company 
F ;  Cornelius  Thompson  and  Andrew  Johnson,  Company  I. 

The  total  loss  as  given  in  Surgeon  Cochran's  report,  who  was 
present  during  the  engagement,  was  five  killed,  seven  danger 
ously,  eleven  severely  and  four  slightly  wounded.  In  reference 
to  the  death  of  Convey,  Surgeon  Cochran  writes :  "In  that 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  49 

engagement  we  lost  our  first  man  in  battle — James  Convey,  of 
Company  F — as  brave  a  boy  as  ever  lived.  He  was  but  a  boy 
in  years,  but  every  inch  a  hero.  I  found  him  on  the  field  a  few 
minutes  after  he  was  shot,  and  saw  that  in  all  probability  the 
wound  would  prove  fatal  in  a  few  hours.  He  was  also  con 
scious  that  he  had  answered  to  roll-call  for  the  last  time,  and 
said  to  me  :  '  Well,  some  lives  must  be  sacrificed  in  this  cause, 
and  it  had  far  better  be  mine  than  one  with  wife  and  children 
dependent  upon  him.'  Brave  words,  bravely  uttered,  and 
worthy  to  be  written  in  letters  of  living  light. " 

The  name  Silver  Creek  was  given  this  engagement  for  the 
reason  that  it  was  fought  on  the  borders  of  a  small  creek  by 
that  name  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Randolph  county,  near 
the  town  of  Renick,  a  small  station  on  the  North  Missouri  rail 
road.  On  the  9th  the  command  returned  to  camp  near  Fayette. 

Following  are  the  reports  of  Major  Torrence  of  the  engage 
ment  and  Surgeon  Cochran  of  our  wounded : 

REPORT  OF  MAJOR  TORRENCE. 
HEADQUARTERS  IST  BATTALION  IST  IOWA  CAVALRY, 
CAMP  NEAR  FAYETTE,  Howard  Co.,  Mo.,  Jan.  llth,  1862. 

COLONEL  : — Respected  Sir — The  Major  commanding-  directs  me  to 
make  the  following-  report  to  you. 

By  order  of  General  Pope  we  proceeded  from  Otterville  to  this 
county  for  the  purpose  of  dispersing-  sundry  rebel  camps  which  were 
being'  formed  in  the  vicinity,  and  arrived  here  on  Sunday,  January  5th. 
1862.  Much  fear  was  apprehended  by  the  few  strong  Union  men  who 
reside  near  here  that  we  would  be  attacked  by  the  enemy — every  pre 
caution  was  taken  against  being  surprised. 

On  Monday,  the  6th,  we  raised  the  stars  and  stripes  on  the  court 
house  in  Fayette,  witnessed  by  the  whole  command  and  many  citizens. 
Tuesday,  the  7th,  400  men  scouring-  the  country,  and  returned  in  the 
evening  bringing-  intelligence  of  a  rebel  camp  commanded  by  Poindex- 
ter,  situated  near  Roanoke.  On  morning-  of  the  8th,  five  companies  of 
the  Fifth  Iowa  Infantry  arrived  from  Booneville,  and  leaving-  them  to 
g-uard  our  camp  here,  the  following  command  was  on  the  march  at 
eig-ht  o'clock,  composed  of  part  of  four  companies  of  First  Missouri 
Cavalry,  Companies  I.  L,  B  and  H,  and  Captain  Foster's  Ohio  Cavalry. 


50  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

consisting  of  180  men,  commanded  by  Major  Hubbard  ;  four  companies 
of  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  Companies  A,  F,  G  and  I,  consisting  of  200  men. 
under  command  of  Major  Torrence ;  and  100  Merrill's  Horse,  com 
manded  by  Major  Hunt.  We  arrived  near  the  location  of  their  camp, 
which  was  situated  on  or  near  the  head  waters  of  Silver  creek,  seven 
or  eight  miles  from  Roanoke.  about  four  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  made  the 
attack  at  half-past  four.  The  enemy  were  protected  by  dense  woods  and 
underbrush,  and  there  was  no  approach  to  them  save  througii  a  narrow 
road,  only  wide  enough  for  two  men  to  ride  abreast.  Our  troops  were 
immediately  ordered.  • '  Left  in  single  rank" — dismounted,  and  every 
fifth  man  held  horses,  and  prepared  to  fight  on  foot.  The  engagement 
commenced  immediately — our  boys  rallied  to  the  ground — the  enemy 
made  a  faint  cheer — when  one  simultaneous  shout  went  up  from  our 
ranks.  The  enemy  faltered,  gave  back,  retreated  in  disorder,  and  a 
perfect  rout  on  their  side  ensued.  They  dropped  their  guns,  blankets, 
overcoats  and  hats,  and  we  had  possession  of  their  camp.  After  pur 
suing  them  a  little  distance,  which  we  found  im  practicable,  we  returned 
to  camp  and  destroyed  everything  thereunto  belonging,  being  unable  to 
take  anything  away. 

We  returned  to  this  camp  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  inst.,  leaving 
Dr.  Cochran  with  the  wounded  at  a  house  near  the  battle  ground.  The 
wounded  are  doing  very  well,  and  will  go  to  St.  Louis  by  North  Mis 
souri  railway  to-day.  A.  G.  McQUEEN. 

(Captain  Company  A,  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

REPORT  OF  SURGEON  COCHRAN. 

RENICK.  RANDOLPH  Co.,  Mo.,  Jan.  12th.  1862. 
SIR  : — J  send  you  list  of  wounded  (under  my  care)  at  battle  of  Silver 

Creek,  Mo. 

First  Iowa   Cavalry. 

COMPANY  A. 

James  Scott,  in  lower  jaw.  severely. 
Thomas  Fletcher,  in  right  side,  not  severely. 

COMPANY  F. 

James  Convey,  through  the  abdomen,  fatally — has  since  died. 
Stephen  M.  Sexton,  in  right  hand,  riot  severely. 

COMPANY  I. 

Cornelius  Thompson,  in  left  shoulder,  severely. 
Andrew  Johnson,  in  both  legs,   not  seriously. 
•  •  Merrill"1  s  Horse. ' ' 

COMPANY  D. 
Jacob  King,  in  the  head,  fatally — has  since  died. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  51 

COMPANY  E. 

Alexander  Keath,   killed. 

Thomas  Moore,  in  left  thigh,   severely. 

Henry  Redding-,  in  right  knee  and  left  elbow,  not  severely. 

COMPANY  F. 
William  C.  Lantis,  in  the  right  side,  not  dangerously. 

Fourth  Ohio  Cavalry. 
CAPTAIN  FOSTER'S  COMPANY. 

Benjamin  F.  Dug-an,  in  right  arm  and  leg-,  not  dangerously. 
Samuel  Koffman,  in  left  hand,   not  severely. 
Leander  Kinzer.  in  right  leg,  very  severely. 
First  Missouri  Cavalry. 

COMPANY  I. 

John  F.  Dumont,  in  left  arm,  not  seriously. 
William  Myer.  in  the  neck,  fatally — has  since  died. 
Thomas  W.  George,  in  the  head,  fatally— has  since  died. 
George  W.  Mitchell,  in  the  face,  not  dangerously. 
John  Hessing,  in  right  side  and  thigh,  severely. 
John  McGeary,  in  the  hand,  not  severely. 

COMPANY  L. 

Lieutenant  Burrows,  in  the  arm,  severely. 
Ansco  Chubb,  on  the  hip.  slightly. 
John  A.  Brown,  in  the  chest,  severely. 

Birge's  Sharp  Shooters. 

James  Conia,  through  the  left  lung,  doing  well. 

Several  others  were  wounded,  but  I  did  not  see  them.  1  shall  leave 
here  for  St.  Louis  to-morrow.  All  the  boys  are  doing  well,  except  Kin 
zer.  of  Captain  Fosters  company,  who  will  lose  his  leg  if  not  his  life. 

Truly  Yours.  M.  B.  COCHRAN,  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

MAJOR  W.  M.  G.  TORRENCE.  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  written  at  Otterville, 
Missouri,  by  Sergeant,  afterward  Lieutenant  C.  W.  W.  Dow, 
Company  F,  in  reference  to  the  battle  of  Silver  Creek,  etc.,  is 
here  inserted : 

4tOn  January  5th  we  raised  our  flag  on  the  court  house  at 
Fayette.  It  is  a  strong  secesh  town.  We  placed  our  cavalry 
all  around  the  court  house  square,  and  one  of  our  men,  a  quar 
termaster,  raised  the  flag  and  tied  it  to  the  steeple.  We  gave 


52  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

three  hearty  cheers  at  the  sound  of  the  bugle,  sung  the  Red, 
White  and  Blue,  gave  three  more  cheers,  and  then  left  for  our 
camp  two  miles  away. 

• 4  Dec.  7th.  In  camp.  A  detachment  has  gone  to  look  for 
the  k  Swamp  Angels. '  Ordered  to  have  our  horses  remain 
saddled  all  night,  and  sleep  on  our  arms.  Report  that  2,000 
rebels  will  attack  us  to-night. 

- k  Dec.  8th.  Day  dawned  but  no  attack  made.  At  five  A.  M. 
the  bugle  sounded  4  To  horse, '  and  we  did  as  we  expected  to  be 
done  by — went  after  them.  After  marching  fifteen  miles  we 
came  to  the  town  of  Roanoke.  Here  we  learned  that  the  rebel 
camp  was  six  miles  distant.  When  within  two  miles  of  their 
camp  we  dismounted  to  fix  our  saddle-blankets,  tighten 
girths,  examine  our  arms,  receive  orders  for  the  attack,  etc. ; 
after  which  we  remounted  and  continued  the  march.  The  day 
was  very  foggy  and  quite  'warm. 

4 'Our  force  consisted  of  about  520  men,  Major  Torrence,  of 
our  regiment,  in  command  of  the  force.  After  marching  about 
two  miles  we  entered  a  forest  heavy  and  dense.  We  followed 
this  forest  road  until  we  were  fired  upon.  Second  Lieutenant 
Charles  Dustin  with  eighteen  men  of  Company  F  formed  the 
extreme  advance  guard,  Dick  Hoxie  being  bugler.  The  timber 
being  so  dense,  we  were  ordered  to  dismount  and  fight  on  foot, 
every  fifth  man  holding  horses.  I  acted  as  Second  Lieutenant, 
our  Captain  having  been  left  sick  at  Booneville.  Having  been 
ordered  '  to  go  in,  '  in  we  went.  The  road  being  full  of  troops, 
with  four  or  six  companies  ahead  of  us,  we  took  the  side  of 
the  road.  Our  guidon  was  carried  by  U.  E.  Johnson,  of  Iowa 
City.  Away  we  went  like  greyhounds,  with  nothing  but  revol 
vers  and  sabers,  (we  had  no  carbines — a  d — d  shame,)  passing 
three  companies  armed  with  carbines  and  Colt's  revolving  rifles 
(six  shooters),  for  the  enemy's  camp.  Our  guidon  was  the  first 
flag  in  there.  Yes,  Company  F  flag  was  first  and  foremost. 
But  to  be  more  particular.  When  the  enemy  first  fired  on  our 
advance  under  Lieutenant  Dustin,  they  fired  a  full  volley  at  about 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  53 

eight  men,  but  did  not  wound  any  of  them,  as  the  advance 
had  charged  through  and  by  them,  before  the  rebels  had  fired  a 
shot.  But  they  came  in  behind  him  (Dustin),  thus  cutting  him 
off  for  a  time  and  then  commenced  firing  on  the  advance 
thick  and  fast.  As  one  of  the  rebels  was  leveling  his  rifle  at 
Lieutenant  Dustin,  Dick  Hoxie  called  to  the  Lieutenant  to  look 
out  as  a  reb  was  going  to  fire  at  him,  then  with  his  revolver  he 
(Hoxie)  shot  the  rebel  through  the  head. 

4 '  The  advance  companies  having  halted  to  dismount,  Lieu 
tenant  Dustin  charged  alone  back  through  the  rebel  line  to  urge 
the  column  forward.  We  soon  had  the  rebs  retreating,  they  giv 
ing  way.  In  a  short  time  the  First  Iowa  forged  ahead  of  the  car 
bines  of  '  Merrill's  Horse'  and  the  First  Missouri  Cavalry  with 
only  our  revolvers.  Cheer  followed  cheer  as  we  went  into  the 
creek,  through  ice  and  water  knee  deep,  up  the  steep  bank  on  the 
other  side,  and  into  their  very  camp.  They  wavered,  scattered 
and  fled  like  dogs  as  they  were.  As  they  had  a  steep  hill  to 
climb  our  revolvers  and  carbines  told  fearfully  upon  them. 
The  fire  from  our  side  was  a  continuous  roll.  Many  of  the 
rebels  fell  on  the  side  of  the  hill  mortally  wounded.  As  they 
had  all  left,  and  we  being  on  foot,  the  bugle  was  sounded  •  To 
horse,'  in  order  to  pursue  them,  but  our  horses  being  so  far 
away,  and  the  underbrush  being  so  dense,  there  was  no  oppor 
tunity  for  pursuit.  The  '  rally'  having  been  sounded  we  formed 
in  the  center  of  their  camp  between  the  trees.  An  order  was 
given  to  burn  everything,  as  we  could  not  take  anything  away, 
having  no  transportation.  Everything  was  burned  including  a 
wagon  loaded  with  powder.  I  saw  one  poor  fellow  of  the 
enemy  fall,  and  a  few  minutes  afterwards,  one  of  our  men  saw 
him  lying  dead  with  a  daguerreotype  in  his  hands.  It  was  a 
picture  of  a  young  and  handsome  girl  of  nineteen  or  twenty 
years  of  age.  The  man  took  it,  and  has  it  now.  I  shall  try 
to  find  out  who  he  was,  who  she  is,  and  send  the  picture  to  her, 
and  tell  her  that  in  his  last  hour  he  thought  of  her. 


54  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

"We  captured  from  eighty  to  a  hundred  horses,  rifles,  shot 
guns,  butcher  knives  about  eighteen  inches  in  length,  etc. 

4 '  The  distinguished  bravery  of  Lieutenant  Dustin  deserves 
the  highest  praise  in  leading  the  extreme  advance  with  eight 
men,  and  on  the  field  was  highly  complimented  for  his  bravery 
and  daring  by  the  commanding  officers.  Majors  Torrence  and 
Hubbard. 

' '  You  will  doubtless  see  or  hear  of  numerous  articles  in  re 
lation  to  our  fight  at  Silver  Creek,  without  any  mention  of  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry  in  them.  I  want  to  say  that  all  such  re 
ports  are  infernal  lies." 

On  the  next  day  scouting  parties  which  had  been  sent  out  re 
turned  with  a  few  prisoners,  who  had  been  scattered  over  the 
country,  the  result  of  the  engagement  on  the  8th. 

On  Sunday,  December  12th,  a  countermarch  to  Otter ville 
was  commenced.  Marching  through  the  towns  of  Fayette. 
New  and  old  Franklin,  the  command  camped  on  the  banks  of 
the  Missouri  river,  opposite  Boone ville,  on  the  13th.  On  the 
15th  it  crossed  the  river  and  went  into  camp  at  that  place.  On 
the  16th  the  march  was  resumed,  camping  at  the  little  town  of 
Pilot  Grove.  Remaining  in  camp  at  Pilot  Grove  on  the  17th, 
it  resumed  its  march  on  the  18th.  Passing  through  the  towns 
of  Pleasant  Grove  and  Amaton,  it  arrived  at  Otterville  at  night 
and  went  into  camp  on  its  old  camping  ground.  The  battalion 
remained  at  Otterville  until  January  25th,  at  which  time  Com 
panies  A,  F,  G  and  I,  under  command  of  Major  Torrence, 
marched  for  Sedalia,  arriving  at  that  place  on  the  27th. 

On  the  28th  they  went  into  camp  at  a  place  between  George 
town  and  Sedalia,  where  their  camp  remained  till  March  12th. 
On  February  3d,  Companies  B  and  D,  with  the  Seventh  Mis 
souri  Infantry,  and  Company  E,  First  Missouri  Light  Artillery, 
all  under  the  command  of  Colonel  John  D.  Stevenson,  Seventh 
Missouri  Infantry,  arrived  at  Georgetown  on  their  way  to  Lex 
ington,  and  left  on  the  4th.  During  the  time  these  companies 
were  located  near  Georgetown  their  duties  were  arduous,  and 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  55 

engagements  of  greater  or  less  magnitude  were  of  frequent  oc 
currence.  The  noting  of  a  few  must  suffice. 

February  8th,  Major  Torrence  having  received  leave  of  ab 
sence,  left  for  his  home  in  Iowa,  and  Captain  J.  D.  Thompson, 
Company  G,  assumed  command. 

On  the  12th,  A,  G  and  I,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Thompson,  with  two  pieces  of  the  Missouri  Light  Artillery, 
and  six  companies  of  the  Eighth  Iowa  Infantry,  all  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Geddes,  Eighth  Iowa  Infantry, 
made  an  expedition  to  Brownsville,  Saline  county,  sending 
scouting  parties  into  Lafayette  county,  and  in  other  directions 
for  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles,  taking  several  prisoners. 

The  weather  was  exceedingly  cold,  and  the  troops  suffered 
greatly  on  this  expedition. 

RAID  TO  WARSAW. 

On  the  15th,  about  four  p.  M.,  Captain  Thompson,  with  120 
men  from  Companies  A,  F,  G  and  I,  and  120  men  from  the 
Eighth  Iowa  Infantry  in  wagons,  under  the  command  of  Cap 
tain  Stubbs,  left  on  a  raid  to  Warsaw,  and  arrived  at  that  place 
about  three  o'clock  the  next  morning.  They  encountered  the 
enemy's  pickets  at  a  hotel  about  four  miles  from  town,  charged 
them  and  run  them  into  the  town.  The  main  body  of  the  reb 
els,  consisting  of  about  300  men,  had  crossed  the  Osage  river, 
and  then  disabled  the  ferry  boat.  The  rebel  General  Tom 
Price,  (son  of  old  Pap,)  Colonel  Dorsey,  Brigade  Surgeon, 
Major  Cross,  and  Captain  Inge,  were  taken  prisoners  ;  and  36 
mules  and  four  horses  were  captured.  They  returned  to  camp 
about  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  17th.  The  march  of 
fifty  miles  and  back  was  made  in  thirty-six  hours. 

On  the  25th  Company  A,  under  command  of  Captain  Mc 
Queen,  was  ordered  on  a  scout  to  Leesville,  Henry  county.  It 
returned  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  having  captured  fifteen 
prisoners  and  a  number  of  horses. 


56  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

EXPEDITION  TO  HENRY,  BATES  AND  ST.  GLAIR 

COUNTIES. 

On  March  3d  a  part  of  Companies  A,  F,  G  and  I,  225  men, 
under  command  of  Major  Torrence,  reported  at  Sedalia,  Here 
they  were  joined  by  one  section  of  the  Missouri  Light  Artillery 
and  five  companies  of  the  Eighth  Iowa  Infantry,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Furquerson,  three  companies  of  the 
Twenty-Sixth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  two  companies  of  the 
Sixth  Missouri  Infantry.  The  infantry  were  transported  in 
wagons.  All,  under  command  of  Colonel  Geddes.  Eighth  Iowa 
Infantry,  left  on  an  expedition  through  Henry,  Bates  and  St. 
Clair  counties.  They  marched  through  Belmont,  Calhoun, 
Clinton,  Deep  Water,  Rickey's  Store  and  Pleasant  Gap  ;  in  the 
meantime  sending  out  scouting  parties  in  various  directions. 
Returning  by  the  way  of  Clinton,  Calhoun  and  Belmont,  they 
reached  camp  near  Georgetown  on  the  evening  of  the  8th,  hav 
ing  marched  two  hundred  and  thirteen  miles  and  taken  fifty- 
seven  prisoners. 

During  this  period  of  misrule  and  anarchy,  the  slaves,  ever 
faithful  to  the  Union  cause,  demonstrating  in  numberless  in 
stances  their  allegiance  and  devotion  thereto,  were  ostracised  by 
special  and  specific  orders  issued  by  those  who  were  being  as 
sisted  and  benefited  by  these  unfortunate  bondmen.  President 
Lincoln,  Secretary  Stanton  and  General  Halleck  were  endeavor 
ing  to  solve  the  problem  of  reuniting  a  disruptured  republic  by 
making  it  one-half  slave  and  one-half  free;  a  condition  which 
President  Lincoln  in  a  public  speech  in  1858  declared  could  not 
exist,  using  the  following  memorable  language  upon  that  oc 
casion  :  ' l  The  Union  cannot  permanently  exist,  one-half  slave 
and  one-half  free. "  Among  the  anti-slavery  Generals  Fremont 
was  sacrificed  at  the  behest  of  the  slaveholding  power — and  the 
deplorable  condition  of  Missouri  was  intensified  and  prolonged 
by  such  influence  and  action. 

The  first  order  to  the  regiment  in  reference  to  this  matter 


BBN    F.  SKINNER,  Co.  G. 
J.  W.  KKAPFEL,  Co.  G 


8.    W.   TllENCllAKD,    Co.   G. 

ED.  J.  BROWN,  Co.  G. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  57 

was  issued  by  Capt.  J.  D.  Thompson,  Company  G.  Acting  Ma 
jor  of  the  First  Battalion  in  the  absence  of  Major  Torrence, 
dated  at  camp  near  Georgetown,  Mo.,  Feb.  10th.  1862.  There 
is  no  record  showing  by  what  authority  he  issued  the  order. 
The  f  o  llowing  is  a  copy  of  the  order : 

HEADQUARTERS  IST  BATTALION  IST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

CAMP  NEAR  GEORGETOWN,  Mo.,  Feb.  10th.  1862. 
SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  3. 

The  commanding-  officer  directs  that  all  negroes  who  have  come  into 
this  camp  subsequent  to  the  8th  inst.  shall  be  removed  outside  of  our 
lines  before  to-morrow,  nine  o'clock  A.  M. 

Commanders  of  companies  will  see  that  this  order  is  strictly  enforced. 
By  order  of  CAPT.  J.  U.  THOMPSON,  Acting  Major, 

and  Coin.  1st  Battalion  1st  Low  a  Cavalry. 
DAVID  A.  KE'RR,  Adjutant. 

On  February  12th,  however.  General  Orders'"  No.  2  were 
issued  from  iC  Headquarters  U.  S.  Forces,  Post  at  Lexington, 
Mo.,  by  order  of  John  D.  Stevenson,  Colonel  Commanding; 
Joshua  W.  Bourne,  Act.  Post  Adjt. " 

Sections  1,  8  and  9  of  this  fugitive  slave  order  are  inserted, 
and  are  as  follows  : 

SECTION  I.  The  establishment  of  a  Military  Post  at  Lexington  is  for 
the  purpose  of  restoring'  civil  g-overnment  and  social  order  ;  to  renew 
the  confidence  of  loyal  citizens  in  the  power  of  the  Government  to  pro 
tect  them  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  their  civil  rigiits  :  to  induce  all  disaf 
fected  citizens  to  renew  their  allegiance  to  the  Government,  and  to  live 
in  submission  thereto  :  to  put  an  end  to  the  anarchy  which  has  for  the 
past  nine  months  been  permitted  to  exist,  and  restore  that  condition  of 
law  and  order  that  in  past  times  has  afforded  to  the  people  such  perfect 
happiness  and  substantial  prosperity.  To  conduce  to  such  result,  the 
commanding  officer  declares  the  following-  rules  for  the  government  of 
himself  and  all  persons  within  his  command  : 

SECTION  VIII.  The  city  of  Lexington,  as  the  commanding  officer  is 
advised,  is  infested  with  a  large  number  of  negroes  whose  masters  fail 
to  exercise  over  them  that  surveillance  necessary  to  secure  their  good 
conduct.  The  Provost  Marshal  will  require  the  owners  of  all  slaves  in 
and  around  the  Post  to  take  immediate  possession  of  all  such  and  re 
move  them  beyond  this  Post ;  otherwise  he  will  be  proceeded  against  as 

a  violator  of  this  order  and  punished  accordingly. 

8 


58  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

SECTION  IX.  No  fugitive  slaves  will  be  allowed  within  this  Military 
Post,  and  it  is  made  the  especial  duty  of  the  Provost  Marshal,  in  pursu 
ance  of  general  orders  from  Department  headquarters,  to  cause  all 
fugitive  slaves  within  this  Post,  or  who  may  hereafter  come  within  the 
same,  to  be  arrested  and  placed  beyond  the  lines. 

On  May  6th  another  order  was  issued  by  Colonel  Stevenson, 
to  permit  a  Mr.  Holmes  to  search  the  camp  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry  for  a  fugitive  slave.  A  copy  of  this  order  is  also  in 
serted.  All  of  these  orders  are  inserted  as  reminiscences  of  a 
time  when  strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  perpetuate  slavery 
and  establish  Freedom — to  fight  rebellion  but  not  allowed  to 
fire  on  the  enemy's  magazine. 

FUGITIVE  SLAVE  ORDER. 

HEADQUARTERS  U.  S.  FORCES, 

LEXINGTON,  Mo.,  May  6th,  1862. 

MAJOR  : — I  have  had  application  made  to  me  by  a  Mr.  Holmes,  of 
Johnson  county,  for  a  fugitive  slave,  his  property,  alleged  by  him  to  be 
in  your  camp. 

I  call  your  attention  to  the  enclosed  order  upon  the  subject  of  fugi 
tive  slaves,  which  has  been  approved  at  headquarters  and  ordered  to  be 
strictly  enforced.  I  desire  you  immediately  to  require  all  fugitive 
slaves  in  your  camp  to  be  placed  beyond  your  lines. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  convert  our  soldiers  into  "slave  catchers," 
which  would  be  alike  repugnant  to  them  and  myself,  but  I  hold  it  to  be 
the  first  duty  of  a  soldier  to  obey  his  superior  officers,  Major  General 
Halleck  orders  all  fugitive  slaves  to  be  placed  beyond  our  lines,  leaving 
the  slave  and  his  master  to  settle  their  affairs  themselves.  This  order 
you  will  strictly  enforce. 

By  order  of  JOHN  D.  STEVENSON, 

MAJOR  W.  M.  G.  TORRENCE,  Colonel  Commanding. 

Com1  erg  1st  Battalion  1st  la.  Cavalry. 

The  First  Iowa  Cavalry  were  neither  a  band  of  slave  hunters 
nor  » ;  slave  catchers. "  Very  little  attention  was  given  to  these 
orders,  as  the  following  occurrence  will  show. 

In  February,  while  Companies  B  and  D  were  at  Lexington, 
information  was  received  that  a  slave  who  had  escaped  from  his 
master  and  given  important  information  and  rendered  efficient 
service  to  Colonel  Mulligan,  at  the  time  the  Colonel  was  in 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  59 

command  at  Lexington,  had  been  recaptured  and  returned  to 
his  master ;  that  a  chain  had  been  riveted  upon  him,  and  he  was 
a  prisoner  in  his  master's  house.  Lieutenant  J.  D.  Jenks. 
Compauy  D,  with  a  detail  of  men  from  Company  D,  visited  the 
plantation  near  the  town  to  ascertain  the  facts.  The  master 
disclaimed  any  knowledge  of  the  facts  and  stoutly  denied  that 
any  such  man  was  on  the  plantation.  During  this  conversation 
Lieutenant  Jenks  heard  the  clanking  of  a  chain,  and  on  search 
ing  the  house  he  discovered  the  negro  in  one  of  the  rooms,  with 
a  large  iron  chain  about  twelve  feet  in  length,  and  weighing 
seventy-five  pounds,  riveted  around  his  ankle.  He  was  at  once 
taken  to  the  blacksmith  of  Company  B.  Isaac  Rhodes,  now  re 
siding  at  DeWitt,  Iowa,  the  rivets  cut,  and  the  man  given  his 
freedom.  The  chain  was  sent  to  the  Iowa  State  Historical  So 
ciety,  by  Surgeon  Cochran,  a  lasting  memento  of  the  barbarity 
oi  slavery  and  the  devilish  inhumanity  and  cruelty  of  the  Mis 
souri  slaveholders,  desperadoes,  assassins  and  cut-throats  which 
the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  encountered  in  its  campaigns  in  this 
sorely  afflicted  State. 

The  above  engagements,  skirmishes,  scouts,  etc.,  are  cited 
to  show  the  activity,  the  constant  vigilance,  the  unswerving  ad 
herence  to  patriotism  and  duty,  the  tireless  energy  and  self- 
reliance  and  bravery  of  this  regiment,  amid  the  worst  element 
comprising  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy.  It  was  an  ex 
perience  which  was  never  forgotten.  The  regiment  was  never 
ambushed  nor  surprised  during  its  entire  term  of  service.  In 
this  connection  it  is  most  proper  to  quote  the  language  of  Cap 
tain  S.  S.  Burdett,  Company  B,  late  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  his  oration  delivered  at 
the  reunion  of  the  regiment  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  September 
21st,  22d  and  23d.  1886,  because  it  is  eminently  true,  ex 
pressed  in  language  terse  and  unequivocal.  He  said  : 

uThe  early  October  days  found  us  in  Missouri,  and  thence 
forth  we  were  assigned  to  duties  which  none  could  have  well 

o 

performed   save   only  the  highest  in  the  soldierly  and   patriotic 


60  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

(jualities  of  patience,  fortitude,  self-denial,  unflinching  courage, 
and  supreme  devotion  to  a  cause.  Every  hardship  known  to 
war  fell  to  our  lot.  The  somber  picture  we  daily  faced  was  for 
years  unlit  by  a  single  gleam  of  those  glories  which,  in  regular 
warfare,  light  up  the  pathway  of  the  soldier  to  glory  or  the 
grave.  Our  battle  fields  were  in  the  by-ways  and  waste  places, 
where  the  human  foxes  we  followed  had  their  holes.  Our 
marches  were  in  the  night  time,  for  from  every  hill-top,  and 
sometimes  from  the  tree-tops,  looked  out  a  watcher  to  note  our 
progress  and  fix  the  ambush.  And  though  compelled  to  this 
duty,  we  were  left  without  proper  arms,  and  for  two-thirds  of 
our  term  of  enlistment  were  not  so  well  armed  for  the  business 
we  were  engaged  in  as  were  the  enemies  we  followed.  But  our 
duty  was  performed  without  repining,  and  I  believe  that  if  the 
history  of  our  whole  service  could  be  written  up  with  that  mi 
nuteness  with  which  Kinglake  has  told  the  story  of  the  Crimean 
campaign,  that  it  would  appear  that  for  individual  daring,  for 
extent  of  country  covered  and  protected,  for  extent  of  marches, 
for  number  of  conflicts,  and  for  soldierly  endurance  and  self- 
denial,  no  regiment  in  the  service  excelled  that  to  which  we  be 
longed,  or  deserved  better  of  its  country." 

In  the  spring  of  1862  orders  were  received  ^  all  along  the 
line"  to  ^advance,"  March  6th  Colonel  Warren,  with  Com 
panies  E,  K,  L  and  M,  at  Benton  Barracks,  were  ordered  to 
Clinton.  Henry  county,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  posts  to 
guard  the  western  portion  of  the  State,  and  cutting  off  supplies 
and  recruits,  which  were  being  sent  to  the  rebel  forces  through 
this  great  highway.  ( 'olonel  Warren,  with  the  third  battalion, 
arrived  at  Sedalia  on  March  9th. 

On  the  27th  Companies  B  and  1)  were  ordered  to  Clinton  by 
way  of  Sedalia.  arriving  at  Sedalia  on  the  30th.  Companies  C 
and  H  at  Jefferson  City  were  ordered  to  Clinton  by  way  of  Se 
dalia,  arriving  at  Sedalia  on  the  15th.  Companies  A,  F,  G  and 
I  were  ordered  from  Georgetown  to  Sedalia,  arriving  at  Sedalia 
March  12th. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  61 

On  the  5th,  as  before  mentioned,  the  third  battalion,  under 
Colonel  Warren,  left  Benton  Barracks  for  the  field.  A  mem 
ber  of  Company  K  gives  the  following  account  of  their  pil 
grimage  to  Sedalia :  4 '  On  March  5th  we  were  ordered  to  Se 
dalia.  We  marched  from  the  Barracks  to  the  Pacific  railroad 
depot  and  boarded  a  train.  When  a  few  miles  out,  near  Kirk- 
wood,  a  station  on  the  road,  a  collision  took  place,  which  resulted 
disastrously  for  us — losing  nearly  one-half  of  the  horses  of  the 
command ;  Company  K  losing  sixteen  killed  and  four  badly 
crippled.  After  waiting  about  twenty-four  hours  in  mud  and 
sleet,  another  train  was  procured  and  we  again  started  for 
Sedalia.  The  next  morning,  on  arriving  at  Jefferson  City,  we 
met  Companies  B  and  D,  and  were  k  dubbed'  by  them  the 
•  Band  Box'  Battalion.  We  arrived  at  Sedalia  about  10  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  9th.  In  reference  to  this  i  Band  Box' 
and  fc  White  Glove'  Battalion,  it  is  but  just  to  say  that  when  it 
left  Benton  Barracks  it  was  •  regarded  by  competent  judges  as 
well,  drilled  as  any  body  of  men  in  our  branch  of  the  service, 
not  excepting  regulars.' ' 

Colonel  Warren  now  assumed  command.  March  14th  head 
quarters  of  the  regiment  was  established  at  Clinton,  Mo.,  at 
which  place  it  remained  until  April  8th,  when  it  was  removed 
to  Butler,  Bates  county,  about  thirty -five  miles  west  of  Clinton, 
and  about  twenty  miles  from  the  Missouri  and  Kansas  State  line. 
Posts  were  also  established  at  Clinton,  Henry  county,  and 
Osceola,  St.  Clair  county. 

The  march  from  Sedalia  to  Clinton,  a  distance  of  forty-five 
miles,  was  through  a  country  the  people  of  which  were,  with 
scarcely  an  exception,  hostile  to  the  Government  and  holding 
intimate  relations  with  the  various  bands  of  guerrillas  and  bush 
whackers  infesting  that  region  of  country.  In  fact  the  whole 
section  of  country  in  which  these  posts  were  located  was  a 
hotbed  of  guerrillas,  bushwhackers  and  desperadoes,  requiring 
active  vigilance  and  caution  on  the  part  of  our  troopers.  On 


62  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

arriving  at  Clinton,  the  town  was  found  nearly  deserted  and 
houses  tenantless. 

Colonel  Warren  was  now  in  command  at  Butler;  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Moss,  and  afterward  Captain  W.  E.  Leffingwell,  Com 
pany  B,  at  Osceola ;  and  Major  James  O.  Gower  at  Clinton. 

Hospitals  were  established  at  Butler,  Osceola  and  Clinton. 
Assistant  Surgeon  D.  B.  Allen  in  charge  at  Butler;  Surgeon  M. 
B.  Cochran  at  Osceola ;  and  Dr.  Thomas  B.  Drake,  private  of 
Company  G,  was  detailed  to  take  temporary  charge  at  Clinton. 

Dr.  Chas.  H.  Lothrop,  having  been  appointed  Additional  As 
sistant  Surgeon  of  the  regiment,  on  reporting  for  duty  at  Clin 
ton  May  26th,  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of  that  hospital. 

This  movement  of  the  United  States  forces  was  a  slow  but 
sure  march  to  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  the  loyal  ele 
ment  of  which  was  gaining  the  ascendancy.  By  proclamation 
Governor  Gamble  had  ordered  an  enrollment  of  the  militia.  By 
this  proclamation  the  disloyal  men  were  compelled  to  enroll 
for  the  support  of  the  Government  or  leave  the  State.  This 
created  intense  excitement,  and  most  bitter  feelings  were  en 
gendered.  Many  left,  preferring  to  cast  their  lot  with  the 
Southern  army.  Murders,  assassinations  and  other  acts  of  out 
lawry  were  committed. 

In  this  state  of  affairs,  as  heretofore,  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
was  equal  to  the  emergency.  Night  and  day  they  were  in  their 
saddles — in  a  certain  locality  at  night,  the  next  morning  they 
would  be  found  thirty  and  forty  miles  away,  attacking  and 
routing  a  rebel  camp,  or  effectually  breaking  up  a  band  of  bush 
whackers  and  desperadoes.  It  would  require  pages  to  give  the 
history  of  its  engagements,  skirmishes  and  marches,  as  they 
were  of  almost  every  day  occurrence,  with  some  portion  of  the 
regiment.  Surrounded  by  bands  of  unprincipled,  stealthy  foes, 
exposed  to  many  and  secret  dangers,  amid  darkness  and  storm, 
sunshine  and  rain,  they  never  swerved  from  the  line  of  duty, 
and  rendered  invaluable  service  to  the  State  in  this  peculiarly 
trying  period. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  63 

To  mention  a  few  of  the  most  prominent  engagements  must 
suffice. 


ENGAGEMENT  OF  MONTEVALLO,  VERNON  CO.,  MO. 

From  the  official  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss  we  learn 
that  Companies  D  and  K,  one  hundred  strong,  left  the  post  at 
Osceola,  April  13th,  in  command  of  the  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
for  the  purpose  of  breaking  up  a  company  of  guerrillas  at 
Montevallo,  Vernon  county.  After  crossing  Sac  river,  the  ad 
vance  guard  had  a  skirmish  with  a  squad  of  bushwhackers, 
killing  one  and  wounding  three  or  four  others.  John  Bauder, 
Company  K,  was  here  wounded  in  the  leg.  Companies  D  and 
K  proceeded  to  Centerville,  about  five  miles  from  Montevallo, 
capturing  fourteen  prisoners,  and  encamped  for  the  night. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss,  with  an  escort  of  twenty-five  men,  in 
charge  of  Lieutenant  Barnes,  Company  K,  proceeded  to  Monte 
vallo,  leaving  Captain  P.  Gad  Bryan,  Company  D,  in  command 
of  the  camp.  Arriving  at  Montevallo  the  men  were  quartered 
in  the  hotel  and  adjoining  yard.  About  half -past  four  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  (14th,)  a  troop  of  fifty  men  were  discovered 
approaching  the  hotel,  nearing  which  they  demanded  immediate 
surrender.  This  demand  was  at  once  replied  to  by  a  shot  from 
one  of  our  men,  Sergeant  J.  A.  Lyons,  our  present  State 
Auditor.  The  fight  continued  until  daylight,  at  which  time 
the  enemy  retired.  The  precise  loss  of  the  enemy  was  not  as 
certained.  Among  the  mortally  wounded  was  Daniel  Henly, 
known  as  the  "  Wild  Irishman,'-  a  leader  of  one  of  the  most 
desperate  gangs  of  desperadoes  in  Missouri.  Our  loss  was  two 
killed,  Oscar  Crumb  and  James  Whitford,  Company  K,  and 
six  wounded,  Sergeant  J.  A.  Lyons,  T.  J.  Tupper,  Joseph 
Stone,  Lieutenant  Barnes,  Company  K,  Samuel  E.  Shannon 
and  Jacob  Hursh,  Company  D.  After  firing  a  number  of 
buildings  in  the  town  the  command  returned  to  Osceola.  On 
this  raid  several  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  twenty-two  were 
were  captured,  besides  a  number  of  horses  and  mules. 


fU  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Following  is  a  copy  of  the  official  report  of  the  engagement, 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss  : 

REPORT  OF  LIEUT.  COL.  C.  E.  MOSS,  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 
HEADQUARTERS  POST  OF  OSCEOLA.  April  17,  1862. 
GENERAL  : — On  the  morning-  of  April  13th,  1862,  I  left  this  place  in 
command  of  Companies  D  and  K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  100  strong,  to 
proceed  to  Montevallo,  Vernon  county,  for  the  purpose  of  breaking-  up 
a  company  of  guerrillas,  reported  300  strong,  supposed  to  have  col 
lected  at  a  point  twelve  miles  distant  from  that  place,  on  Cedar  and 
Horse  creeks.  I  was  joined  by  a  force  of  State  militia,  under  Captain 
Gravely,  from  Humansville,  150  strong,  making-  my  whole  force  250 
men.  After  crossing  Sac  river,  fifteen  miles  above  its  junction  with 
the  Osage,  we  came  upon  the  open  prairie,  when  the  advance  guard 
had  a  skirmish  with  a  squad  of  jayhawkers,  killing  one  and  wounding 
three  or  four  more.  They  fired  upon  the  advance  g-uard  from  a  house, 
wounding  private  John  Bauder,  of  Company  K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  in 
the  leg.  After  scouring  the  woods  and  thickets  for  a  distance  of  four 
miles  the  command  advanced  to  Beckstown,  capturing  on  the  way  some 
fourteen  prisoners.  The  troops  then  moved  on  to  Clintonville,  ten 
miles  from  Montevallo,  where  the  State  militia  encamped  for  the  night. 
Companies  D  and  K  then  proceeded  to  Centerville,  five  miles  distant 
from  Montevallo.  and  encamped  for  the  night.  Learning  at  this  point 
that  a  company  of  Federal  troops  left  Montevallo  only  two  days  pre 
vious,  and  there  was  no  organized  force  in  twelve  miles  from  that  place. 
I  detailed  Lieutenant  Barnes,  from  Company  K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry, 
26  men,  and  the  guide  (Andrew  J.  Pugh)  and  my  own  servant,  making 
the  whole  party  28  men,  and  proceeded  to  Montevallo,  leaving  Captain 
P.  Gad  Bryan  in  command  of  the  camp,  with  orders  to  come  up  early 
in  the  morning'. 

I  arrived  at  Montevallo  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  quar 
tered  my  men  in  and  about  the  yard  of  the  hotel,  giving  special  orders 
to  all  the  men  to  sleep  on  their  arms  and  remain  close  together,  pre 
pared  for  any  attack  that  might  be  made.  The  men  mostly  slept  in  a 
room  of  a,  log  house  attached  to  the  hotel,  and  in  the  loft  over  a  stable 
in  the  yard,  in  which  were  picketed  the  horses.  Four  or  five  of  the 
men  slept  in  the  front  kitchen  of  the  hotel.  After  the  guards  were  set 
and  the  horses  properly  cared  for  and  fed.  T  retired,  with  Lieutenant 
Barnes,  for  the  night.  About  half- past  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  we 
were  alarmed  by  an  approaching  body  of  armed  men,  said  to  be  50 
strong,  demanding  an  immediate  surrender,  with  a  threat  of  firing  the 


PHIL.  H.  FRANCIS,  Co.  B., 
Secretary  of  the  Association. 

Adjutant  DAVID  A.  KERB, 
First  President  of  the  Association. 


E.  J.  BABCOCK,  Co.  A. 
First  Sec'y  of  the  Association. 

OHRIN  B.  CRANE,  1st  Serg't  Co.  B. 
1st  Iowa  Cavalry  Vet.  Vol. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  65 

house  over  our  heads  and  shooting1  each  one  of  us  unless  we  complied 
with  the  demand.  The  demand  was  answered  by  a  shot  from  one  of 
my  men.  The  fight  now  commenced  and  waged  fiercely  until  daylight, 
when  the  enemy  retreated.  The  enemy  would  unquestionably  have 
carried  their  threat  of  firing  the  house  into  execution  were  it  not  for  the 
determined  spirit  of  my  command. 

After  the  fight  had  continued  a  short  time,  I  retired  with  Lieutenant 
Barnes  and  four  or  five  other  men  from  the  lower  to  the  upper  story  of 
the  building,  where  'deliberate  aim  could  be  taken  from  the  windows, 
and  the  shots  told  with  effect  upon  the  foe,  who  retired  some  fifty  yards 
distant  and  took  shelter  behind  a  neighboring  store.  The  order  was 
given  to  rush  out,  fall  into  line,  and  charge  upon  them.  This  being 
given  in  a  tone  sufficiently  loud  to  be  heard  by  the  enemy,  caused  them 
to  disperse  and  cease  firing.  The  precise  loss  of  the  enemy  cannot  be 
ascertained ;  several  were  thought  to  have  been  killed  and  seven 
wounded,  three  mortally.  Among  the  mortally  wounded  was  Daniel 
Henly,  known  in  St.  Clair,  Cedar  and  Vernon  as  the  "Wild  Irishman." 
and  leader  of  one  of  the  most  desperate  gangs  of  desperadoes  in  Mis 
souri.  Our  loss  was  two  killed  and  six  wounded,  and  two  prisoners 
who  afterward  escaped. 

Never  did  men  under  similar  circumstances  display  greater  gallantry 
than  those  with  me  that  night.  Being  exposed  to  a  most  murderous 
fire  from  double  their  number  of  men  well  armed,  not  a  man  flinched 
or  showed  any  disposition  to  surrender  or  give  up  the  contest.  Lieuten 
ant  Barnes  and  Andrew  J.  Pugh  (my  guide)  deserve  my  warmest 
thanks  for  their  cool  gallantry  and  determined  courage.  The  band 
was  found  to  be  composed  mostly  of  persons  living  or  staying  in  the  im 
mediate  vicinity  of  the  place. 

The  men  met  at  another  building,  occupied  as  a  tavern,  and  situated 
about  three  hundred  yards  from  where  I  stopped  with  my  command. 
The  ground  between  that  hotel  and  the  one  we  occupied  was  covered 
with  vacant  log  huts  and  wooden  buildings,  with  the  exception  of  about 
seven  rods,  which  was  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  brush.  These 
buildings  and  the  underbrush  covered  from  view  the  advance  of  the  foe 
until  within  thirty  yards  of  the  house.  They  were  enabled  by  that 
means  to  approach  much  nearer  before  being  discovered  than  they 
otherwise  would  have  done.  Two  privates  of  Company  K  left  against 
orders,  and  went  to  a  house  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  occupied  by  a 
man  belonging  to  the  band,  and  were  captured,  with  their  horses  and 
arms. 


66  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Soon  after  daylight  Captain  Bryan  came  up  with  the  two  companies 
of  Iowa  cavalry  and  State  militia.  I  immediately  sent  out  a  scout, 
under  Lieutenant  Barnes,  of*  Company  K,  in  pursuit,  directing-  him  to 
scour  the  country  as  far  as  Nevada  and  return  that  evening,  I  also 
sent  another,  under  command  of  Captain  Bryan,  with  orders  to  scour 
the  country  in  the  opposite  direction  and  return  in  the  evening.  The 
scout  under  Lieutenant  Barnes  soon  came  in  sight  of  fifteen  of  the  band 
and  pursued  them  some  fifteen  miles  without  being  able  to  capture  them 
or  recover  the  prisoners.  He  followed  them  to  *  Nevada,  in  Vernon 
county,  and  returned  in  the  evening.  Captain  Bryan  was  more  success 
ful.  He  soon  ran  upon  another  party  of  the  band,  killed  two  and 
wounded  some  two  more,  and  captured  one  (George  Gatewood),  and  re 
covered  the  two  men  captured  the  night  previous.  The  keeper  of  the 
hotel  where  the  band  met  and  organized  that  night  was  a  leader  in  the 
business  and  killed  by  Captain  Bryan's  men. 

Having  learned  from  scouts  and  other  sources  that  a  body  of  some 
sixty  men,  besides  two  companies  from  Cedar  creek,  were  preparing  to 
attack  the  command  that  evening  in  Montevallo,  I  ordered  the  hotel 
where  the  former  attack  was  organized  and  the  old  buildings  between 
that  and  the  place  I  was  occupying'  with  my  command  to  be  burned, 
which  was  promptly  done.  This  measure  became  necessary  as  a  pre 
caution  against  attack,  and  as  a  measure  of  safety,  as  those  buildings, 
of  little  or  no  value  to  any  one,  were  being  used  as  places  of  protection 
and  resort  by  the  guerillas. 

The  command  remained  at  Montevallo  during  the  night  of  Monday 
and  left  about  seven  o'clock  Tuesday  morning,  and  encamped  about 
nine  miles  from  Stockton  Tuesday  evening  near  Cedar  creek.  During 
the  whole  day  bands  of  armed  men,  numbering  from  fifteen  to  twenty, 
were  seen  moving  in  the  direction  of  Stockton  and  White  Hair  in  Cedar 
county. 

On  Wednesday  morning  a  heavy  rain  set  in,  which  raised  Cedar 
creek  so  as  to  render  it  impassable  for  the  wagons  containing  the 
wounded  men,  and  I  set  out  for  this  Post,  and  arrived  here  with  an  es 
cort  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  command  camped  sixteen 
miles  from  this  place,  near  Cole's  store,  and  came  in  under  Captain 
Bryan  this  (Thursday)  afternoon  in  a  terrible  rain  storm,  accompanied 
by  thunder  and  lightning,  tearing  up  trees  and  rocks,  and  filling  up  the 
creeks,  so  as  to  render  them  impassable  two  hours  after  our  wagons  had 
passed  over. 

Captain  Bryan  and  Gravely,  Lieutenant  Shriver,  and  all  the  officers , 
rendered  every  assistance  in  their  power,  and  deserve  the  confidence  of 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  67 

their  commander.  We  captured  twenty-two  men,  mostly  with  arms  in 
their  hands,  besides  several  horses  and  mules.  Most  of  the  arms  were 
worthless  and  were  destroyed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  E.  MOSS. 

Lieut.  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cav.,  CotrfcPg  Post. 
To  BRIG.  GEN.  JAMES  TOTTEN,  Jefferson  City. 

Hon.  William  M.  Wilson,  now  residing  at  Osceola,  Iowa,  at 
that  time  a  corporal  of  Company  D,  thus  describes  the  fight : 

' '  Some  of  the  men  went  to  the  barn  to  sleep,  and  some  were 
in  the  parlor  of  the  hotel,  and  others  on  the  kitchen  floor. 
Colonel  Moss,  Lieutenant  Barnes,  Corporal  Shannon  and  my 
self  were  upstairs,  Moss  and  Barnes  in  a  bed,  Shannon  and  I 
on  the  floor.  We  knew  nothing  of  the  approach  of  the  rebels 
until  they  opened  fire  on  our  stable  guard.  We  had  no  pickets 
out ;  the  people  assured  Colonel  Moss  that  there  were  no  rebels 
or  bushwhackers  in  the  country,  and  he  believed  them. 

4  c  Soon  after  the  firing  began  the  house  was  surrounded,  and 
we  supposed  there  were  at  least  seventy-five  rebels,  from  the 
noise  they  made  in  firing  into  the  windows  and  calling  out, 
"  Surrender  !  Surrender!"  As  soon  as  we  could  get  ready, 
Lieutenant  Barnes,  Shannon  and  I  opened  fire  on  the  crowd 
with  our  revolvers  from  the  windows  in  the  upper  story.  This 
fire  was  quickly  returned  and  Barnes  and  Shannon  were 
wounded.  We  emptied  our  revolvers  and  by  that  time  the 
rebels  retreated.  We  then  went  down  stairs  to  look  after  our 
wounded  men. 

4 '  Badly  wounded  as  he  was,  Lieutenant  Barnes  was  in  the 
saddle  all  that  day,  engaged  in  scouring  the  country. ' ' 

The  following  account  of  the  expedition  and  engagement  is 
furnished  by  the  late  Captain  Thomas  H.  Barnes,  Company  K : 

"In  April,  1862,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss,  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  with  a  part  of  Companies  D  and  K  of  his  regiment. 
Company  D  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  a  sec 
tion  of  a  battery,  were  stationed  at  Osceola,.  Missouri.  Reports 
coming  to  him  from  General  Totten,  commanding  the  district, 


68  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

that  a  rebel  force  of  about  550  men  were  in  camp  at  Monte- 
vallo,  he  determined  to  rout  them,  and  on  the  13th  started  to 
do  so.  The  writer  was  in  command  of  the  advance  guard  of 
25  men,  made  up  from  the  two  cavalry  companies.  We  broke 
camp  at  daylight  and  marched  the  entire  day,  and  at  night — 
having  missed  our  way — we  found  ourselves  on  the  Montevallo 
and  Fort  Scott  road,  about  four  miles  from  Montevallo  and  in 
its  rear.  We  reached  the  town  about  nine  p.  M.,  from  a  direc 
tion  we  were  not  expected.  The  advance  charged  the  town  at 
once,  causing  a  general  stampede  and  a  lively  getting  out  of 
there  by  the  Johnnies,  when  we  went  into  camp  for  the  night 
in  a  hotel,  corralling  our  horses  in  the  yard  that  surrounded  the 
barn  and  house.  Before  daylight  the  Johnnies  returned  and 
renewed  the  scrimmage,  keeping  it  up  until  daylight,  when 
they  retreated,  after  killing  James  H.  Whitford  and  Oscar 
Crumb,  of  Company  K,  and  severely  wounding  the  writer  in 
the  hips  and  filling  his  eyes  with  fine  broken  glass  by  shooting 
buckshot  through  a  window,  the  effect  of  which  is  to  destroy 
his  sight.  [This  narrative  is  written  at  his  dictation.]  Also 
wounding  Sergeant  J.  A.  Lyon,  now  Auditor  of  Iowa,  in  the 
arm  and  shoulder ;  private  Tupper  in  the  arm ;  private  Stone 
in  the  leg,  from  which  he  died ;  E.  Shannon  in  leg  and  finger  ; 
and  Jacob  Hursh  in  the  face.  Sergeant  J.  A.  Lyon  and  the 
other  men  were  wounded  while  fighting  in  the  yard. 

k  •  During  the  engagement  two  of  our  men  were  taken  pris 
oners  and  carried  off.  My  command  being  reinforced  to  60 
men,  we  gave  chase  in  order  to  recapture  these  two  men  before 
the  rebs  had  time  to  hang  them  to  a  jack  oak,  and  pursued  to 
Nevada,  where  we  learned  they  had  separated  and  a  portion  of 
them  were  in  our  rear.  We  took  the  back  track  to  Montevallo, 
and  all  along  the  way  could  be  seen,  occasionally,  a  single 
horseman  on  some  eminence  as  a  look-out,  who  would  disappear 
before  we  could  reach  him.  We  managed  to  '  take  in'  one  of 
them,  who  claimed  to  be  a  physician,  and  therefore  a  non-com 
batant.  He  was  very  indignant,  saying  we  did  not  treat  his 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  69 

profession  with  due  courtesy.  The  writer  informed  him  that 
he  also  was  a  physician  and  desired  his  company,  then  disarmed 
him,  tied  his  legs  together  under  his  horse,  and  taking  his 
bridle  rein  to  prevent  his  horse  running  away,  resumed  the 
march. 

' '  The  Captain  was  very  reticent  until  we  reached  Clear  creek, 
when  he  showed  agitation  and  evident  signs  of  fear.  He  asked, 
Where  are  you  going  ?  To  which  I  answered,  Montevallo ; 
when  he  informed  me  we  could  never  get  there  over  that  road, 
as  an  ambush  had  been  prepared  for  us,  and  the  road  barri 
caded  at  a  spot  where  they  could  have  a  raking  fire  at  us  for 
half  a  mile  or  more,  designed  to  kill  every  mother's  son  of  us. 
I  drew  from  him  the  fact  that  this  creek  could  be  crossed 
about  two  miles  below,  where  there  was  a  private  ford,  and 
turned  the  head  of  the  column  to  the  right  in  the  direction  of 
this  ford,  leaving  a  detail  to  make  a  feint  on  the  ambuscaded 
road,  which  enabled  us  over  the  new  route  to  make  Montevallo, 
reaching  there  in  the  night,  finding  it  in  flames,  Colonel  Moss 
informing  me  he  had  fired  the  town  to  light  us  on  our  way  in. 
We  here  found  also  the  two  men  that  were  captured  and  run 
off,  they  having  made  their  escape." 

May  2d,  Colonel  Warren,  with  a  detachment  of  two  hundred 
men  and  a  section  of  Battery  F,  Second  Missouri  Light  Ar 
tillery,  left  camp  on  a  scout  to  Marais  des  Cygnes  river ;  re 
turned  on  the  llth  with  thirty  prisoners  and  a  quantity  of  pow 
der  and  lead  found  buried  in  the  vicinity. 

On  May  15th  a  forage  train,  about  four  miles  from  Butler, 
was  fired  upon  by  a  band  of  bushwhackers,  and  three  men 
killed  and  one  wounded.  The  names  of  those  killed  were  J. 
H.  Bird  and  Andrew  Foust,  Company  D,  and  Martin  Meredith, 
Company  E.  On  the  16th,  Dexter  Stephens,  Company  I,  was 
killed  by  guerillas.  On  the  27th,  a  forage  train  from  Osceola 
was  attacked  and  W.  G.  Harback  killed,  and  Josiah  Cameron 
and  Michael  Higgins  mortally  wounded — all  of  Company  C. 


TO  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

SKIRMISH  AT  LOTSPEACH  FARM, 

NEAR  WADESBURGH,  CASS  Co.,  Mo. 

In  June  and  July,  thennotorious  W.  C.  Quantrel,  with  his 
band  of  outlaws,  put  in  an  appearance  to  take  part  in  the  mur 
ders  and  pillage  of  this  section.  July  8th,  a  detachment  con 
sisting  of  details  from  Companies  A,  G  and  H,  of  one  hundred 
men,  under  Lieutenant  Reynolds,  Company  A,  left  Clinton  for 
a  scout  into  Cass  county.  On  the  morning  of  the  9th  they  en 
countered  Quantrel  and  his  band  of  about  two  hundred  on  the 
Lotspeach  farm  in  Cass  county,  strongly  posted  in  timber. 
After  two  ineffectual  attempts  to  dislodge  them,  Lieutenant 
Reynolds  with  his  command  returned  to  Clinton  with  a  loss  of 
three  wounded,  D.  W.  Scott  and  A.  Rudolph,  Company  G,  and 
George  Warson,  Company  A.  Warson  was  mortally  wounded, 
and  died  the  next  day  at  the  Gates  farm  near  the  battlefield. 
The  detachment  arrived  at  Clinton  on  the  9th  at  p.  M. 

ENGAGEMENT  AT  BIG  CREEK  CLIFFS, 
NEAR  PLEASANT  HILL,  CASS  Co.,  Mo. 

On  the  imorning  of  the  10th,  at  five  o'clock.  Major  Gower, 
with  detachments  from  Companies  A  and  G,  five  commissioned 
officers  and  75  men,  left  Clinton  and  arrived  at  the  Lotspeach 
farm,  (in  the  vicinity  of  the  skirmish  of  the  day  before,)  at 
eleven  A.  M.  At  this  place  they  were  joined  by  a  detachment 
of  65  men  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  from  Butler,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  W.  H.  Ankeny,  Company  M,  Lieuten 
ants  I).  C.  Dinsmore,  Company  I,  and  D.  C.  Mclntyre,  Com 
pany  L;  a  detachment  of  65  men,  from  Harrison ville,  of  the 
Seventh  Missouri  Cavalry,  in  command  of  Captain  Martin  ; 
and  afterward  by  a  detachment  of  60  men  of  the  First  Missouri 
Cavalry,  from  Warrensburg,  in  command  of  Captain  Miles  Ke- 
hoe  and  Lieutenant  White.  It  was  ascertained  that  Quantrel 
and  his  band,  (estimated  at  250  men,)  had  left  their  camp  on 
Sugar  creek,  about  four  p.  M.  on  the  9th.  At  two  P.  M.  their 
trail  was  discovered,  and  active  pursuit  commenced  by  our 


HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  71 

force.  Leaving  Rose  Hill  on  the  west,  it  took  a  northwesterly 
route  up  the  bottom  land  of  Big  creek,  a  branch  of  Grand 
river.  At  seven  p.  M.  it  camped  on  the  farm  of  a  Mr.  Horns- 
by,  having  marched  a  distance  of  fifty  miles.  Quantrel  and  his 
men  had  taken  dinner  at  this  place.  Captain  Kehoe,  in  disre 
gard  of  positive  orders,  left  camp  the  next  morning  with  his 
command,  for  the  purpose  of  "cleaning  Quantrel  out"  before 
the  balance  of  the  command  should  engage  him.  As  usual  in 
such  cases,  the  < '  other  man  "  was  the  one  who  was  ' '  cleaned 
out.'1  Coming  upon  Quantrel  about  three  miles  west  of  the 
town  of  Pleasant  Hill,  Captain  Kehoe  was  ambushed,  and  his 
advance  guard  killed,  with  the  exception  of  Lieutenant  White. 
Captain  Kehoe  made  an  inglorious  retreat,  leaving  his  dead 
upon  the  field. 

It  is  believed  that  this  premature  engagement  prevented  the 
capture  of  Quantrel  and  his  entire  band.  On  crossing  the  road 
leading  from  Pleasant  Hill  to  Independence,  Lieutenant  Mcln- 
tyre,  Company  L,  with  50  men,  was  sent  with  an  ambulance 
containing  fifty  Philadelphia  rifles  with  ammunition  through 
the  timber,  on  the  road  leading  to  Independence,  with  instruc 
tions  to  march  into  the  field  upon  the  west  side  of  the  timber, 
to  be  within  supporting  distance,  and  to  cut  off  any  retreat 
which  the  band  might  make.  The  command  then  proceeded  to 
Sears'  farm,  where  Captain  Kehoe  had  been  repulsed. 

This  farm  is  situated  on  the  western  borders  of  Big  creek. 
The  land  in  the  vicinity  is  exceedingly  rough  and  rocky,  and 
large  masses  of  rock  project  from  the  high,  rough  banks  of  the 
creek.  From  this  fact  the  name  of  Big  Creek  Cliffs  is  given 
this  locality.  It  was  a  most  admirable  position  for  defense. 
At  this  farm  our  force  came  upon  the  guerillas,  who  at  once 
retreated  down  a  l  *  wood  road  "  leading  to  the  creek.  Quantrel 
had  chosen  this  place  for  battle  and  prepared  his  ambush,  but 
the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  led  by  Lieutenant  John  McDermott, 
Company  G,  swept  down  on  him  like  a  whirlwind,  and  in  less 
than  thirty  minutes  his  band  was  scattered  in  all  directions. 


72  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Some  were  seen  mounted  two  on  a  horse  in  their  anxiety  to 
escape  from  the  "boys."  who  had  followed  them  like  sleuth 
hounds.  The  loss  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  was  two  killed, 
James  Beecroft  and  Suel  Dodge,  Company  G,  and  ten  wound- 
ed-^D.  A.  Kerr,  Adjutant  First  Battalion;  J.  T.  Foster,  Ser 
geant  Major  First  Battalion ;  Henry  L.  Dashiel,  Quartermaster 
Sergeant  First  Battalion  ;  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Reynolds  and  Geo. 
W.  Collins,  Company  A — Collins  was  mortally  wounded  and 
died  soon  afterward ;  Lieutenant  E.  S.  Foster,  Jeremiah  Bivins, 
Louis  Scherrer,  James  H.  Stewart,  Company  G ;  and  Erdix 
C.  Eastman,  Company  K.  Total  number  of  the  command 
killed,  9  ;  total  number  wounded,  20.  The  loss  of  the  guerillas 
was  18  killed  and  25  wounded.  Everything  was  abandoned  in 
their  haste  to  get  away.  Quantrel's  saddle-bags,  containing 
among  other  things  the  muster  roll  of  his  band,  was  captured. 
Being  present  on  the  field,  the  writer  speaks  from  personal 
knowledge  in  reference  to  the  affair.  The  greatest  bravery  was 
exhibited  by  the  troops  engaged,  and  they  appeared  to  be  as 
well  versed  in  bushwhacking  tactics  as  did  the  bushwhackers 
themselves. 

Following  is  the  report  of  Additional  Assistant  Surgeon 
Lothrop,  who  was  present  during  the  engagement : 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following1  list  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  engagement  at  Big  Creek  Cliffs,  Cass  county,  Missouri. 
July  llth,  1862,  commencing  about* eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  and  continuing 
about  thirty  minutes. 

First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

David  A.  Kerr,  Adjutant  Second  Battalion,  right  arm  near  shoulder, 
severely. 

Joseph  T.  Foster,  Sergeant  Major  Second  Battalion,  right  forearm, 
not  severely. 

Henry  L.  Dashiel.  Quartermaster  Sergeant  Second  Battalion,  right 
chest,  upper  lobe  of  right  lung,  dangerously. 

COMPANY  A. 

Robert  M.  Reynolds,  First  Lieutenant,  scalp  wound  above  forehead, 
slight. 

George  W.  Collins,  chest,  both  lungs,  fatally— has  since  died. 


"HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  73 

COMPANY  G. 

E.  S.  Foster,  Second  Lieutenant,  left  wrist  and  arm,  not  severely. 
Jeremiah  Bivins,  private,  right  thigh,  near  the  groin,  severely. 
Louis  Scherrer,  private,  right  hand,  slightly. 
James  H.  Stewart,  private,  right  hand,  slightly. 
James  W.  Beecroft,  private,  killed. 
Suel  Dodge,  private,   killed- 

COMPANY  K. 
Erdix  C.  Eastman,  private,  left  thigh. 

First  Missouri  Cavalry. 

COMPANY  A. 

Henry  Robins,  private,  right  shoulder,  severely. 
Herman  Fribsha,  private,  left  thigh,  not  severely. 
Frederic  Zanzel,  private,  left  hand,  by  the  bursting  of  a  Colt's  car 
bine. 

William  Schenelzer,  private,  left  thigh,  slightly. 
Jacob  Schuldt,  private,  right  shoulder,  severely. 
John  Schuldt.  private,  left  thigh,  slightly. 

COMPANY  C. 

Miles  Kehoe.  Captain,  right  shoulder,  not  severely. 
William  L.  Bell,  private,  left  elbow,  not  severely. 
Abram  Brokow,  private,  neck  and  face,  not  severely. 
Elijah  White,  Corporal,  George  Darkin,  Corporal.  Richard  Masters. 
private,  William  Trumpee,  private,   and  G.  H.  Walker,  private,  killed. 

COMPANY  D. 

Antoine  Hannonzine,  private,  left  cheek  and  tongue,  severely. 
William  Ritcher,  private,  killed. 

Seventh  Missouri  Cavalry. 

COMPANY  —  . 
Samuel  Nicholas,   killed. 

Respectfully.  CHAS.   H.   LOTHROP. 

I  Ass't  Surgeon  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 


SKIRMISH  ON  CLEAR  CREEK,  ST.  CLAIR  CO.,  MO. 

August  2d,   detachments  from  Companies  B,  E,  L  and  M, 

under  the  command  of  Captain  J.  M.  Caldwell,   Company  I, 

sent  out  from  Butler  to  capture  some  cattle  belonging  to  reb 

els,  encountered  on  the  wooded  border  of  Clear  creek,  a  branch 

10 


74  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

of  the  Osage  river,  about  two  miles  distant  from  the  little  town 
of  Taborville,  St.  Clair  county,  a  band  of  guerillas  said  to  num 
ber  three  or  four  hundred  men,  well  mounted  and  armed,  under 
the  notorious  outlaw  Glowers.  A  short  and  spirited  engage 
ment  ensued.  The  enemy  had  chosen  a  seemingly  secure  posi 
tion,  and  after  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  dislodge  him,  (being 
greatly  outnumbered,)  Captain  Caldwell  withdrew  his  force  to 
the  prairie  ;  having  in  the  meantime  sent  to  Butler  for  rein 
forcements.  A  detachment  under  Captain  H.  H.  Heath,  Com 
pany  L,  was  at  once  sent  out  to  reinforce  Captain  Caldwell. 

The  following  is  Captain  Heath's  report  of  the  engagement 
which  ensued  :  "I  discovered  a  body  of  several  hundred  reb 
els  in  ambush  on  the  heights  of  Clear  creek,  about  two  miles 
from  Taborville,  in  St.  Clair  county,  supposed  to  be  under 
command  of  the  celebrated  Colonel  Coffee.  (?)  They  had  cho 
sen  an  apparently  secure  position,  one  which  to  attack  success 
fully  required  the  utmost  confidence  of  a  leader  in  his  men. 
We  were  but  75  strong,  one-half  the  joint  command  being  with 
Captain  Caldwell  nearly  a  mile  distant,  The  pickets  of  the 
enemy  were  first  driven  in,  they  firing  upon  us  as  we  advanced. 
A  charge  upon  their  ambush  was  immediately  ordered,  the  ene 
my  driven  from  his  cover  and  forced  to  a  speedy  retreat,  after 
considerable  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  Captain  Caldwell 
subsequently  calbe  up  in  time  to  fire  a  few  parting  shots  as  the 
rebels  fled  from  the  heights  to  the  creek  and  to  their  horses  be 
yond.  We  lost  several  horses  killed,  among 
which  was  my  own.  In  this  engagement  were  many  who  had 
never  been  under  fire  before,  but  their  courage  was  manifested 
under  a  most  terrific  fire  of  musketry  within  a  few  paces  of 
them,  and  from  an  enemy  for  the  most  part  concealed  within  a 
thickly  studded  ambush  of  undergrowth,  and  who  could  only 
be  discovered  as  they  rose  and  poured  forth  their  murderous 
fire  upon  us.  Lieutenants  Bereman,  Company  E,  Battalion  Ad 
jutant,  Joseph  L.  Edsall,  and  Sergeant  Dunham,  Company  M, 
particularly  distinguished  themselves  as  brave  and  worthy  offi- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  75 

cers. ' '  Our  loss  in  this  engagement  was  four  killed  and  twelve 
wounded,  as  follows  :  Albert  C.  Alford,  Caleb  C.  Botsford, 
Michael  J.  Driscol,  Company  L,  and  Elisha  C.  Roland,  Com 
pany  M,  killed ;  Captain  H.  H.  Heath,  George  Jewett, 
Samuel  Tate,  William  E.  Utterburg  and  Andrew  Miller,  Com 
pany  L,  Thomas  E.  Francis,  Charles  Hibber,  William  H.  Todd, 
George  T.  Nettle,  Washington  H.  Rigby,  Martin  Jourdan  and 
Edward  Ware,  Company  M,  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy 
was  eleven  killed  ;  number  of  wounded  not  known. 

Colonel  Warren  with  a  considerable  force  arrived  the  next 
day,  but  finding  the  enemy  had  iied  and  were  beyond  his  reach, 
the  command  returned  to  camp. 

About  this  time  there  was  a  determined  effort  on  the  part  of 
the  rebels  to  concentrate  their  forces  and  •  •  take  in' '  the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry  located  at  these  posts.  In  anticipation  of  this 
movement,  Colonel  Warren  ordered  all  the  prisoners  heretofore 
confined  at  Butler  sent  to  Jefferson  City.  August  6th  the  pris 
oners,  under  the  escort  of  Company  D,  arrived  at  Clinton. 
Here  all  the  available  men  of  Companies  A  and  D,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  McQueen,  were  ordered  to  escort  the  pris 
oners  to  Sedalia.  From  thence  they  (the  prisoners)  were  to  be 
transported  by  railroad  to  Jefferson  City.  Company  B  had 
been  previously  ordered  from  Osceola  to  Bntler.  Now  the 
post  at  Osceola  was  ordered  evacuated,  and  on  the  6th  Compa 
nies  C  and  H,  with  two  companies  of  the  Missouri  State  militia, 
arrived  at  Clinton  from  that  post,  In  obedience  to  orders, 
Colonel  Warren  evacuated  the  post  at  Butler  on  Thursday  night, 
August  7th,  and  retreated  to  Clinton.  His  train,  while  cross 
ing  Deep  Water  creek,  was  fired  upon  and  one  horse  killed. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  different  companies  at  Clinton, 
Colonel  Warren,  with  a  large  portion  of  the  regiment,  marched 
northwesterly  from  Clinton  to  reinforce  Brigadier  General 
Blunt,  who  was  threatened  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  under 
Colonel  Coffee.  On  the  16th  the  battle  of  Lone  Jack,  a  small 


76  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

village  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Jackson  county,  about  sixty 
miles  from  Clinton,  was  fought,  at  which  place  the  Missouri 
State  militia,  under  Major  Foster,  were  defeated.  General 
Blunt  and  Colonel  Warren  coming  up  soon  after,  the  rebels  re 
treated  and  a  brisk  pursuit  followed,  but  without  result.  In 
this  pursuit  after  Cofi'ee  Colonel  Warren  and  his  command 
marched  about  three  hundred  miles. 

On  the  night  of  the  16th,  by  order  of  Brigadier  General 
Totten,  that  portion  of  the  regiment  remaining  at  Clinton,  un 
der  Captain  William  Thompson,  Company  E,  marched  to  Se- 
dalia.  There  was  much  excitement  and  confusion  attendant 
upon  the  breaking  up  of  the  camp,  and  the  mareh  was  a  forced 
and  confused  one  ;  it  being  made,  with  but  a  single  short  halt, 
between  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  and  nine  the  following 
morning — a  distance  of  forty-five  miles. 

At  this  time  Lexington  was  also  threatened,  and  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  reinforce  the  troops  at  that  place.  No  attack 
was  made  upon  the  town,  and  in  a  few  days  the  regiment  re 
turned  to  Sedalia,  at  which  place  it  remained  until  the  25th, 
when  it  was  ordered  to  reoccupy  the  post  at  Clinton.  It  arrived 
at  Clinton  on  the  26th,  and  went  into  camp  at  --Camp  Warren," 
about  three  miles  north  of  the  town,  where  it  remained  until 
September  20th,  scouting  in  Henry  and  the  adjoining  counties. 
Here  the  regiment  received  orders  from  department  headquar 
ters  to  report  to  Brigadier  General  James  G.  Totten,  at  Spring 
field.  General  Totten  was  at  that  time  in  command  of  the 
First  Division  of  the  Army  of  Southwest  Missouri. 

All  members  of  the  battalion  organization  and  of  the  regi 
mental  band  were  ordered  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

As  the  regiment  at  this  time  was  about  to  enter  upon  a  differ 
ent  and  more  extended  field  of  duty,  it  will  be  proper  here  to 
note  the  changes  and  additions  among  the  officers  up  to  this 
time. 

Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren  had  been  promoted  to  Brigadier 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  77 

General,  United  States  Volunteers  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Moss 
had  resigned  ;  Captain  James  O.  Gower,  Company  F,  promoted 
to  Major  and  Colonel ;  Captain  William  M.  G.  Torrence,  Com 
pany  A,  promoted  to  Major,  and  resigned  in  May,  1862  ;  Cap 
tain  P.  Gad  Bryan,  Captain  Company  D,  promoted  to  Major 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  ;  Captain  Daniel  H.  Anderson,  Com 
pany  H,  and  Captain  J.  W.  Caldwell,  Company  I,  promoted 
to  Majors.  Doctor  Charles  H.  Lothrop  had  been  commissioned 
Additional  Assistant  Surgeon,  May  14th,  1862,  and  reported 
for  duty.  Adjutant  J.  C.  Stone,  Quartermaster  Martin  L. 
Morris,  Battalion  Adjutants  D.  A.  Kerr,  James  M.  Bryan, 
Henry  R.  Robinson,  and  Battalion  Quartermasters  John  A. 
Landis,  Charles  A.  Case  and  William  H.  Muzzy,  had  been 
mustered  out  as  extra  Lieutenants.  Henry  L.  Dashiel,  private 
Company  H,  was  promoted  to  Regimental  Commissary. 

Among  the  line  officers  were  the  following  : 

Company  A — First  Lieutenant  A.  G.  McQueen  promoted  to 
Captain  ;  Second  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Reynolds  and  Sergeant 
John  A.  Bishop  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  C — Second  Lieutenant  Albert  F.  Dean  had  re 
signed,  and  Sergeant  Thomas  Jones  had  been  promoted  to  the 
vacancy. 

Company  D — First  Lieutenant  J.  D.  Jenks  promoted  to 
Captain,  and  Second  Lieutenant  William  R.  Shriver  and  Ser 
geant  George  M.  Walker  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  E — First  Lieutenant  William  P.  McClure  and  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant  Thomas  A.  Bereman  had  resigned,  and  Ser 
geants  Silas  R.  Nugen  and  Sumner  R.  Marshall  had  been 
promoted  to  the  vacancies. 

Company  F — First  Lieutenant  James  R.  Elliott  had  been 
promoted  to  Captain,  but  was  not  mustered,  and  soon  after 
resigned.  Second  Lieutenant  Philip  E.  Shaver  was  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain,  Sergeant  Charles  Dustin  to 
Second  and  First  Lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  Jacob  Hursh  to 
Second  Lieutenant. 


78  HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Company  H — First  Lieutenant  Riley  Westcoatt  had  been  pro 
moted  to  Captain  ;  Second  Lieutenant  William  H.  Whisenand 
and  Sergeant  Albert  U.  McCormick  to  First  and  Second  Lieu 
tenants. 

Company  I — First  Lieutenant  David  C.  Dinsmore  had  been 
promoted  to  Captain,  and  Sergeant  Amos  Dilley  to  First  Lieu 
tenant. 

Company  M — Captain  William  H.  Ankeny  had  resigned, 
Second  Lieutenant  James  P.  Crosby  promoted  to  Captain,  and 
Sergeant  Edwin  A.  Dunham  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

At  this  place,  "Camp  Warren,7'  Colonel  Warren  received 
his  commission  as  Brigadier  General  United  States  Volunteers, 
and  bidding  a  kind  and  heartfelt  adieu  in  an  address  to  his  old 
comrades  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  with  tears  he  could  not 
suppress,  he  departed  for  another  field  of  duty. 

General  Warren  never  forgot  his  old  regiment  in  all  its  years 
of  service,  and  at  the  time  the  regiment  suffered  the  outrageous 
treatment  at  the  hands  of  that  long-haired  l '  hero  of  the  lash, ' ' 
in  Texas,  General  Warren  was  among  the  first  to  espouse  its 
cause,  and  personally  requested  the  Secretary  of  War  that  it  be 
relieved  from  duty  with  General  Custer,  and  mustered  out  of 
the  service  at  the  earliest  possible  opportunity. 

Following  is  a  copy  of  the  order  mustering  out  the  members 
of  the  battalion  organization,  also  of  the  regimental  band : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 
CAMP  WARREN.  CLINTON,  Mo.,  Sept.  1st.  1862. 
REGIMENTAL  ORDER  No.  52. 

In  pursuance  of  General  Order  No.  91,  Headquarters  War  Depart 
ment,  Washington,  Battalion  Adjutants,  Lieutenants  David  A.  Kerr. 
James  M.  Bryan  and  Joseph  L.  Edsall.  are  mustered  out  of  service  as 
such  from  and  after  this  date. 

Also  the  following1  members  of  the  non-commissioned  staff  (battallion 
organization),  who  are  ordered  to  report  to  the  commanders  of  their 
respective  companies  for  duty  : 

Joseph  T.  Foster,  Sergeant  Major,  First  Battalion.  Company  B. 
James  L.  King,  Sergeant  Major.  Second  Battalion,  Company  C. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  79 

John  B.  Aiken,  Sergeant  Major,  Third  Battalion,  Company  L. 
Dexter  A.  Buck,  Commissary  Major,  First  Battalion,  Company  B. 
Daniel  Easley,  Commissary  Major,  Second  Battalion,  Company  H. 
W.  W.  Fluke,  Commissary  Major,  Third  Battalion,  Company  E. 
Sam1!  C.  Dickerson,  Q.  M.  Major,  First  Battalion,  Company  F. 
Henry  L.  Dashiel,  Q.  M.  Major,  Second  Battalion,  Company  H. 
Hiram  A.  Park,  Q.  M.  Major,  Third  Battalion,  Company  L. 
John  Smitz,  Saddler  Major,  First  Battalion,  Company  F. 
Win.  Applegate,  Saddler  Major,  Second  Battalion,  Company  D. 
M.  C.  Chase,  Saddler  Major,  Third  Battalion,  Company  E. 
Wm.  Mann,  Veterinary  Major,  Second  Battalion,  Company  H. 
Otto  Rothlander,  Veterinary  Major,   Third  Battalion,  Company  G. 
The  following-  members  of  the  band  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  are 
also  mustered  out  of  service  from  and  after  the  date  of  this  order  : 

First  Class — John  Wanneshiek,   David  W.  Forbes,   W.  Clarke  Hall 
Hiram  J.  Dunwell. 

Second  Class — Henry  M.  Batter,  George  T.  Davison,  Richard  W. 
Brown,  John  M.  Caldwell. 

Third  Class — John  Rule.  John  L.  Marshall,  Louis  Keen.  Gamaliel 
B.  Williams,  Henry  D.  Keller.  Sylvester  Britell. 

And  the  following  members  belonging  to  the  third  class  of  the  regi 
mental  band  are  hereby  ordered  to  their  respective  companies  for  duty: 
George  F.  Bantz.  Company  B  ;  Albert  G.  Cunningham.  Company  A. 

By  order  of  JAMES  O.  GOWER. 

T.  A.  BEBEMAN,  Ad  ft  Reg't.  Major  Com'd'g^Reg't. 

ON  THE  MARCH  TO  SPRINGFIELD,  MO. 

On  the  morning  of  September  20th,  all  the  sick  Avho  were 
unable  to  march  having  been  ordered  to  Sedalia,  in  obedience 
to  orders  the  regiment,  Colonel  Gower  in  command,  left  Camp 
Warren  and  took  up  its  line  of  march  to  Springfield,  distant 
one  hundred  miles  south  of  Clinton,  by  the  way  of  Osceola, 
Humansville,  among  the  Osage  hills,  Stockton,  formerly  called 
Fremont,  crossing  a  portion  of  the  Osage  range  of  mountains, 
to  Melville.  On  the  24th  it  went  into  camp  on  a  high  ridge 
near  Sac  river,  about  twenty  miles  from  Springfield,  to  await 
orders.  On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  orders  having  been  re- 


80  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ceived,  it  marched,  arriving  at  Springfield  about  nine  o'clock, 
and  camped  about  one  mile  from  town. 

INCIDENTS    OF    THE    MARCH. 

At  the  crossing  of  Grand  river,  two  ambulances  in  charge  of 
Surgeon  Cochran,  with  escort,  returning  from  conveying  the 
sick  to  Sedalia,  were  fired  upon  by  bushwackers.  The  fire  was 
returned,  and  the  bushwhackers  lost  one  horse  killed  and  one 
man  wounded.  No  loss  on  our  part.  Near  this  place,  Corporal 
Van  Hook,  Company  A,  while  absent  from  the  command,  was 
wounded  by  bushwhackers.  At  Humansville  the  regiment 
marched  in  the  direction  of  Greenfield  for  the  purpose  of  inter 
cepting  a  band  of  Coffee's  guerillas.  They  were  not  found. 
On  the  26th  a  scouting  party  was  ordered  out,  going  as  far  as 
Sodom's  mills,  near  a  place  called  Turnback,  in  the  southwest 
ern  part  of  Dade  county — a  noted  locality  for  bushwhackers 
and  outlaws.  The  scout  returned  to  camp  about  eight  o'clock 
in  the  evening  of  the  same  day  with  three  prisoners,  having 
traveled  thirty-two  miles.  The  aggregate  number  of  miles 
traveled  on  this  circuitous  march  to  Springfield  was  148. 

Here  the  transportation  was  cut  down  to  the  regulation 
amount — one  wagon  for  field  and  staff,  one  for  each  company, 
and  one  wagon  and  one  ambulance  for  the  hospital  department. 
The  officers  were  allowed  eighty  pounds  of  baggage,  and  pri 
vates  what  could  be  carried  in  their  saddle  valises,  preparatory 
to  active  operations  in  the  field.  It  was  then  assigned  to  the 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  Army  of  Southwest  Missouri  ; 
Brigadier  General  John  M.  Schofield  commanding  the  army, 
Brigadier  General  James  Totten  commanding  division,  and 
Colonel  William  E.  McE.  Dye,  Twentieth  Iowa  Infantry,  com 
manding  brigade. 

On  the  29th  the  regiment  marched  and  camped  about  ten 
miles  southwest  from  Springfield,  near  the  town  of  Little  York, 
on  Pond  Spring  creek.  The  camp  was  called  Camp  McClellan. 
It  was  situated  on  a  range  of  the  Ozark  mountains — the  altitude 


¥IRGINIE  LDTHRD'F, 


VEUVE   CHARLES    H.  LOTHROP. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  81 

being  175  feet  above  Springfield.     The  highest  portion  of  this 
range  is  between  this  camp  and  Springfield. 

October  1st,  the  regiment  with  brigade  and  division  marched 
southward  to  unite  with  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions  under 
Generals  Blunt  and  Brown,  in  an  attack  upon  a  rebel  force  of 
13,000  men  under  General  Cooper,  near  Newtonia,  Newton 
county.  The  command  marched  by  the  way  of  Buck  Prairie 
and  Mt.  Vernon,  Lawrence  county,  and  on  the  2d  camped 
about  ten  miles  southwest  of  Mt.  Vernon,  near  the  fountain 
head  of  Center  creek.  Here  all  the  sick  were  ordered  to  be 
left,  and  the  command  to  march  without  transportation.  Leav 
ing  camp  on  the  afternoon  of  the  3d,  it  marched  all  night  with 
out  a  halt.  During  the  first  part  of  the  night  there  was  a  clear 
sky,  and  the  full  moon  shone  upon  the  glistening  arms  of  the 
serried  column  as  it  pursued  its  silent  and  rapid  march.  About 
midnight  the  scene  changed  and  the  poetic  portion  of  the  inarch 
ended.  A  storm  came  on  just  as  the  army  reached  a  dense  for 
est.  Then  marching  through  gloom  and  mud  and  rain  the 
remainder  of  the  night,  it  passed  through  a  small  town  called 
Jollification,  six  miles  from  Newtonia,  about  sunrise  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th.  On  arriving  at  Newtonia,  about  eight 
o'clock,  it  was  found  that  the  enemy  was  retreating.  The  regi 
ment  with  the  Twentieth  Iowa  Infantry  engaged  them  in  a  sharp 
skirmish,  but  with  no  loss  to  the  regiment.  The  design  was  to 
attack  the  enemy  simultaneously  from  three  different  directions. 
The  movements  of  the  army  had  been  previously  arranged  for 
this  purpose.  The  Second  Division  under  General  Brown  fail 
ing  to  come  up  at  the  appointed  time,  on  account  of  the  storm 
and  darkness,  gave  the  enemy  an  opportunity  to  escape,  thus 
making  a  failure  of  the  attempt  to  capture  this  rebel  force. 
Newtonia  was  a  small,  well  built  town  of  about  five  hundred 
inhabitants,  situated  upon  an  extensive  prairie,  and  at  that  time 
nearly  deserted.  The  command  went  into  camp  about  two  miles 
from  the  town  ;  scouting  parties  were  sent  out  and  reconnois- 

11 


82  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ances  made  in  all  directions,  and  the  enemy  found  to  be  in  full 
retreat. 

The  army  remained  here  until  the  9th.  In  the  meantime  the 
transportation  arrived  from  the  camp  on  Center  creek.  At  ten 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  in  a  severe  storm,  the  army 
commenced  the  march  to  Cassville.  Marching  in  a  southeast 
erly  direction,  Shoal  or  Oliver's  creek  was  crossed  near  a  small 
town  called  Gad  Fly,  in  Barry  county,  about  twenty  miles  from 
the  Arkansas  State  line.  It  had  continued  to  rain  heavily  all 
day,  and  the  command  went  into  camp  near  the  town,  thor 
oughly  drenched  ;  the  rain  still  falling  in  torrents,  and  the 
transportation,  on  account  of  the  almost  impassable  condition 
of  the  road,  was  far  in  the  rear.  It,  however,  came  up  during 
the  night  and  the  next  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th  the  march  was  continued ;  reach 
ing  Cassville  at  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  army 
went  into  camp  a  short  distance  north  of  the  town.  Cassville, 
the  county  seat  of  Barry  county,  is  situated  on  War  Eagle 
creek,  a  branch  of  White  river,  about  twelve  miles  from  the 
Arkansas  State  line,  and  twenty  miles  from  Pea  Ridge,  one  of 
a  number  of  broken  plateaus  of  the  Ozark  range  of  mountains. 

It  was  at  this  town  that  the  celebrated  battle  of  Pea  Ridge 
commenced.  Near  here  sixty  of  our  brave  comrades  lie  buried 
in  one  grave,  and  single  graves  are  scattered  here  and  there 
over  this  whole  vicinity — monuments  of  that  desperate  engage 
ment  with  and  victory  over  the  cohorts  of  slavery  and  rebellion. 

On  the  16th  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  the  Second  Brig 
ade,  Third  Division.  Army  of  the  Frontier,  Brigadier  General 
F.  J.  Herron  commanding  the  Division.  On  the  17th  camp 
was  removed  to  McMurtry's  Springs,  the  fountain  head  of  Flat- 
creek,  about  four  miles  from  our  camp.  On  the  next  morning 
the  command  marched  by  the  way  of  the  old  Santa  Fe  mail 
route,  passing  through  Keitsville  in  the  lead  mining  region,  an 
almost  deserted  town,  and  camped  on  Sugar  creek,  about  seven 
miles  from  Elk  Horn  tavern,  in  Benton  county,  Arkansas.  This 
was  the  road  taken  by  Generals  Price  and  Van  Dorn  in  their 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  83 

retreat  from  the  pursuit  of  the  victorious  arm}'  of  General  Cur 
tis  after  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge. 

The  road  for  a  distance  of  four  or  five  miles  is  situated  be 
tween  two  high  ridges  of  mountains.  Large  trees  were  felled 
across  the  narrow  defile  in  quick  succession  to  impede  the  pur 
suit,  and  as  rapidly  removed  by  the  pursuing  army  in  its  efforts 
to  capture  the  retreating  forces.  The  marks  of  that  memorable 
retreat  and  pursuit  were  everywhere  visible. 

On  the  evening  of  the  20th  the  command  left  camp  and 
marched  all  night,  (passing  General  Blunt' s  forces  during  the 
night,)  and  reached  Elk  Horn  tavern  about  sunrise  of  the  21st. 
Halting  here  for  a  short  time,  it  marched  in  an  easterly  direc 
tion,  and  at  night  camped  on  the  banks  of  White  river.  Cross 
ing  the  river  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  we  were  again  among 
the  high,  rugged  wilds  of  the  Ozark  range,  marching  over  high 
peaks  and  through  deep  ravines.  After  passing  War  Eagle 
Mills,  situated  upon  War  Eagle  creek,  the  line  of  march  was 
up  a  high,  steep  peak.  Arriving  at  the  summit  a  most  beauti 
ful  scene  was  presented  to  our  view.  Many,  forgetting  the 
realities  of  war,  instinctively  stopped  to  gaze  in  admiring  won 
der  upon  the  scenery  which  nature  had  spread  out  in  such  rich 
profusion  before  us.  In  the  distance  stretched  another  range  of 
mountains,  peak  after  peak  rising  like  so  many  towers  on  a 
huge  fortification,  while  at  its  base  the  War  Eagle  river  made  a 
graceful  bend  ;  then  turning  again  in  its  course,  it  came  sweep 
ing  around  nearly  at  our  feet  below ;  embracing  a  beautiful 
green  valley,  dotted  with  farm  houses  and  interspersed  with 
fields  of  ripening  grain  ;  while  large  orchards,  laden  with  fruit, 
stood  prominently  forth  in  this  enchanting  scene.  "  Moses, 
when  standing  on  the  top  of  Mount  Pisgah,  looking  over  into 
the  promised  land,  gazed  not  on  a  scene  half  so  lovely. ' ' 

The  line  of  march  continued  among  the  peaks  of  these  rug 
ged  hills  until  the  highest  point  was  reached,  when  a  descent 
was  made  to  the  valley  beyond.  The  command  halted  at  a 
hamlet  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  called  Rip  Van  Winkle's 


84  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Saw  Mills,  about  five  o'clock  p.  M.  ,  to  rest  and  feed  our  weary 
animals.  At  about  seven  o'clock  p.  M.  we  were  again  in  our 
saddles  and  in  quick  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  Rip  Van  Winkle's 
Saw  Mill  is  situated  about  ten  miles  from  Huntsville,  in  Madi 
son  county.  The  little  village  had  been  partially  destroyed  by 
the  enemy  in  their  retreat  before  us.  The  line  of  march  was 
here  changed  to  a  northwesterly  direction.  Our  little  army  at 
this  time  was  composed  of  the  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth 
Iowa  Infantry,  Twentieth  Wisconsin  Infantry,  Seventh  Mis 
souri  Mounted  Infantry  (militia),  one  company  Second  Mis 
souri  Light  Artillery,  one  battalion  First  Missouri  Cavalry, 
and  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  An  all  night  march  was  again 
made.  Reaching  the  banks  of  White  river  about  three  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  the  command  halted  for  rest  until 
daybreak,  at  which  time  it  crossed  the  river,  and  was  again  on  a 
forced  march  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  On  arriving  at  Worth- 
ington,  also  called  Mudtown,  near  which  place  it  was  reported 
that  the  enemy  had  made  preparations  for  a  battle,  it  was  found 
that  they  were  again  on  the  • '  skedaddle' '  for  the  ' "  Sunny 
South."  Worthington  or  Mudtown  is  a  small  town,  situated 
about  two  miles  south  of  Cross  Hollows,  on  the  road  leading 
from  Bentonville  to  Huntsville.  It  was  at  this  place  that 
forty  Missouri  soldiers  were  poisoned,  at  the  time  General  Cur 
tis  passed  through  it  in  pursuit  of  General  Price.  In  retalia 
tion  for  this  dastardly  act,  every  house  in  the  town  was  burned, 
the  chimneys  remaining  as  monuments  of  the  inhuman  act  of 
the  inhabitants.  The  command  now  marched  in  a  northerly 
direction,  passing  through  Cross  Hollows,  and  camped  (on  the 
23d)  about  four  miles  from  that  place,  at  Valley  Springs,  on 
Spring  creek,  in  Benton  county.  This  place  was  the  camp 
and  rendezvous  of  Generals  Price's,  Van  Dorn's  and  McCul- 
louglvs  armies  during  the  previous  winter.  The  distance  trav 
eled  during  this  fatiguing  march  of  three  days  and  nights,  over 
a  mountainous  region  of  country,  was  one  hundred  miles.  The 
name  - k  Cross  Hollows  ' '  is  given  to  a  place  on  the  old  Santa  Fe 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  85 

stage  route,   where  two  deep  rocky  ravines  cross  each  other. 
It  is  a  natural  fortification  and  well  nigh  impregnable. 

The  enemy  finally  k ;  stopped  running, ' '  about  six  miles  south 
of  Fayetteville,  and  about  thirty  miles  distant  from  our  camp 
at  Valley  Springs.  At  nine  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  27th. 
eight  companies  of  the  regiment,  with  the  Seventh  Missouri 
Mounted  Infantry  (militia),  and  a  detachment  of  the  First  Mis 
souri  Cavalry,  under  command  of  General  Herron,  marched  to 
attack  a  rebel  force  under  General  Magruder,  on  White  river, 
about  six  miles  southeast  of  Fayetteville.  On  the  morning  of 
the  28th  the  command  crossed  White  river  at  McGuire's  Ford, 
and  engaged  the  enemy.  After  a  sharp  engagement,  lasting 
more  than  an  hour,  the  enemy  were  routed,  their  breakfast  cap 
tured,  and  a  speedy  retreat  was  made  toward  the  Boston  moun 
tains.  Companies  B,  C,  G  and  H  of  the  regiment  were  ordered 
to  pursue.  A  sharp  skirmish  ensued,  with  the  loss  of  one  man 
wounded  from  Company  G,  name  not  known.  The  enemy's 
loss  was  not  known  ;  two,  however,  were  killed  and  left-  on  the 
field.  The  force  of  the  enemy  engaged  numbered  about  3,000. 
Our  force  numbered  1,000.  Soon  afterward  the  command  re 
turned  by  way  of  Fayetteville  to  camp  at  Valley  Springs, 
arriving  there  on  the  29th,  having  in  the  meantime  marched  a 
distance  of  fifty  miles  and  fought  a  battle.  On  the  28th  our 
Quartermaster,  Samuel  Dickinson,  was  killed  by  guerillas, 
while  in  charge  of  a  detail  of  ten  men,  assisting  a  Union  man 
and  his  family  to  remove  within  our  lines.  On  the  next  day 
Dickinson  was  buried  with  military  honors.  At  this  camp  As 
sistant  Surgeon  Allen,  an  accomplished  gentleman  and  genial 
companion,  was  taken  seriously  ill  and  left  for  his  northern 
home,  having  been  granted  leave  of  absence. 

November  2d,  the  First  Battalion  of  the  regiment,  under  Ma 
jor  J.  W.  Caldwell,  made  a  retrograde  march  to  Elk  Horn  tav 
ern,  and  camped  near  the  tavern  on  Pea  Ridge  battlefield  about 
four  P.  M.  It  was  here  the  battle  raged  the  fiercest.  Thirty- 
nine  graves  mark  the  place  where  the  Iowa  Ninth  made  a  des- 


86  HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

perate  charge  upon  a  rebel  battery,  and  everywhere  the  relies 
of  that  terrible  conflict  were  present. 

On  the  4:th  the  Second  and  Third  Battalions,  with  the  Sec 
ond  and  Third  Divisions  of  the  army,  came  up  on  a  retrograde 
movement  into  Missouri,  by  order  of  Major  General  Curtis, 
commanding  the  department.  The  following  were  the  positions 
of  the  divisions  of  the  army  previous  to  this  time. 

The  First  Division,  Brigadier  General  James  G.  Blunt  com 
manding,  was  in  camp  at  Prairie  Creek,  six  or  seven  miles  from 
Bentonville,  on  the  road  leading  from  Bentonville  to  Huntsville. 

The  Second  Division,  Brigadier  General  James  G.  Totten 
commanding,  was  in  camp  at  Osage  Springs,  about  five  miles 
south  of  Bentonville,  on  the  same  road. 

The  Third  Division.  Brigadier  General  F.  J.  Herron  com 
manding,  was  in  camp  at  Valley  Springs,  near  Cross  Hollows. 

The  First  Division  remained  on  Prairie  creek,  while  the 
Second  and  Third  Divisions,  as  before  stated,  were  on  a  retro 
grade  march  into  Missouri.  The  cause  of  this  movement  was 
the  attack  made  upon  our  posts  at  Clarke's  Mills,  on  the  road 
from  Springfield  to  Forsyth,  Taney  county,  and  a  report  that 
the  enemy  were  marching  in  force  upon  Springfield,  and  that  a 
similar  movement  was  being  made  upon  Hartville,  the  county 
seat  of  Wright  county.  On  the  5th  the  regiment,  with  the 
division,  passing  through  Keitsville,  camped  at  Cassville,  about 
four  o'clock  P.  M.  Here  Sergeant  Harris,  Company  H,  was 
buried  with  military  honors,  he  having  died  in  an  ambulance 
during  the  march.  From  Cassville  the  line  of  march  was  to 
ward  Springfield.  On  the  6th  the  command  marched  twenty- 
eight  miles  and  camped  on  Crane  creek,  about  thirty  miles 
distant  from  Springfield,  and  remained  there  until  the  10th. 
when  the  march  toward  Springfield  was  continued  for  about 
fifteen  miles,  to  a  point  about  four  miles  north  of  Dug  Springs, 
from  which  place  the  command  marched  in  an  easterly  direc 
tion,  and  camped  on  James  river,  a  branch  of  White  river.  At 
this  camp  private  Martin.  Company  L.  died,  and  was  buried 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  87 

with  military  honors.  On  the  llth  it  camped  at  Ozark  in  a 
cold  rain  storm. 

Ozark  is  a  little  town  of  some  twenty  families,  pleasantly 
situated  upon  a  high  bluff  on  Finley  creek,  a  branch  of  the 
James  river.  Here  an  order  was  promulgated  making  our 
able  and  worthy  Surgeon,  M.  B.  Cochran,  Medical  Director  of 
the  Third  Division,  Army  of  the  Frontier — a  most  excellent 
promotion.  On  the  14th  the  command  marched  in  a  northerly 
direction  about  fourteen  miles  to  White  Oak  Springs,  the  foun 
tain  head  of  Sawyer's  creek,  in  Webster  county. 

On  the  17th  it  made  a  retrograde  march,  amid  mud  and  a 
cold,  drizzling  rain,  through  Ozark,  and  bivouacked  for  the 
night  in  mud  and  sleet.  The  transportation  could  scarcely  be 
moved  on  account  of  the  almost  impassable  condition  of  the 
roads. 

A  portion  of  the  sick  were  sent  to  general  hospital  at  Spring 
field,  while  the  remainder  were  left  at  a  Mr.  Ayer's  house  in 
Ozark,  a  most  comfortable  and  hospitable  place,  in  charge  of 
Hospital  Steward  Edwin  M.  Winters,  with  two  nurses  and  one 
cook  detailed  as  assistants. 

On  the  22d,  after  marching  continuously  through  mud  and 
rain,  the  command  camped  on  the  Wilson  Creek  battle  field,  at 
Twin  Springs,  called  • ;  Camp  Curtis. ' '  Here  the  regiment  was 
transferred  from  the  Second  to  the  First  Brigade. 

The  Second  Division  of  the  army,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Daniel  Huston,  Seventh  Missouri  Cavalry,  (General 
Totten  having  been  ordered  to  St.  Louis  as  a  witness  before  a 
court  martial, )  was  in  camp  at  ^  >  Camp  Lyon, ' '  about  twelve 
miles  distant,  near  McCullough's  store,  on  the  Springfield  and 
Cassville  road.  About  this  time,  General  Schofield  being  ab 
sent,  General  Herron  assumed  command  of  the  Second  and 
Third  Divisions  of  the  army.  On  the  25th  all  the  available 
men  of  the  regiment  were  ordered  out  on  an  expedition  to  Yell- 
ville,  Marion  county,  Arkansas.  They  returned  on  the  29th, 


88  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

having  burned  a  portion  of  the  town,   paroled  150  prisoners, 
and  marched  250  miles. 

During  the  time  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions  were  march 
ing  and  countermarching  in  the  rain,  sleet  and  mud  in  Missouri, 
the  First  Division,  under  General  Blunt,  had  left  its  camp  near 
Bentonville,  and  forced  the  enemy,  at  Fayetteville  and  Cane 
Hill,  in  Washington  county,  to  vacate  its  position  and  retire  to 
Van  Buren,  on  the  Arkansas  river,  beyond  the  Boston  moun 
tains,  while  General  Blunt  with  his  division  was  occupying  the 
vacated  position  at  Cane  Hill,  a  small  town  situated  in  the  Bos 
ton  mountain  range,  a  hundred  and  twenty  miles  distant  from 
the  Second  and  Third  Divisions,  in  camp  on  Wilson's  creek,  in 
Missouri.  The  enemy,  under  Generals  Thomas,  Hindman. 
Marmaduke,  Rains  and  Frost,  numbering  more  than  25,000 
men,  were  concentrated  at  Van  Buren  ;  while  General  Blunt, 
with  his  small  division  of  between  four  and  five  thousand  men, 
was  less  than  twenty-five  miles  distant.  It  was  seemingly  an 
easy  task  for  General  Hindman  to  fall  upon  General  Blunt  and 
crush  him  before  any  reinforcements  could  possibly  reach  that 
little  army  at  Cane  Hill.  But  General  Hindman  was  "reckon 
ing  without  his  host."  He,  however,  set  his  army  in  motion, 
and  on  December  5th  and  6th  it  was  skirmishing  with  General 
Blunt's  outposts.  General  Blunt  had  in  the  meantime  received 
information  of  the  intended  attack,  and  at  once  ordered  General 
Herron  to  advance  with  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions  to  his 
support.  The  order  was  received  at  the  camp  on  Wilson's  creek 
at  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  and  at  twelve  o'clock 
the  Third  Division  was  in  motion,  with  the  Second  Division 
following,  in  a  most  rapid  and  unparalleled  march  to  reinforce 
General  Blunt  in  his  perilous  situation.  At  three  o'clock  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  5th,  the  army  was  in  camp  about  four 
miles  south  from  Elk  Horn  tavern,  a  distance  of  fifty-six  miles 
from  ' '  Camp  Curtis. ' ' 

On  the  6th  the  command  marched  at  daylight.     The  First 
and  Third  Battalions  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  under  Colonel  Gower. 


Capt,  ROBERT  L,  FREEMAN, 


COMPANY    K. 


HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  89 

(the  Second  having  been  detailed  as  rear  guard  for  division 
train,)  with  the  Tenth  Illinois,  Sixth,  Seventh  and  Eighth  Mis 
souri,  First  Battalion  Second  Wisconsin,  and  First  Arkansas 
Cavalry,  all  under  command  of  Colonel  Wickersham,  Tenth 
Illinois  Cavalry,  were  ordered  to  reach  General  Blunt  without 
delay.  At  twelve  o'clock  midnight  this  cavalry  force,  with  the 
exception  of  the  First  Arkansas  Cavalry,  which  for  some  reason 
never  explained  left  the  command  when  near  Fayetteville,  re 
ported  at  General  Blunt's  headquarters,  at  Cane  Hill,  near 
Boonsboro,  Washington  county,  Arkansas,  having  marched 
forty-seven  miles,  been  in  the  saddle  for  eighteen  consecutive 
hours,  and  marched  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  in  three  days.  Ample  provision  had  been  made  for  the 
force — fence  rails  for  our  fires,  forage  for  our  horses,  and 
coffee,  hard-tack  and — side  meat  for  the  inner  man.  In  a  short 
time  the  tired  cavalrymen,  wrapped  in  their  blankets,  were  in  a 
sound,  refreshing  slumber,  to  be  in  their  saddles  and  in  line  of 
battle  at  daylight  the  next  morning.  It  was  soon  discovered 
that  General  Hindman  had  c  c  stolen  a  march ' '  on  General  Blunt, 
and  was  endeavoring  to  crush  General  Herron  in  his  endeavors 
to  reinforce  General  Blunt.  General  Blunt  at  once  put  his 
army  in  motion  to  now  reinforce  General  Herron.  Marching 
by  the  k '  valley  road' '  to  Rhea's  Mill,  at  which  place  he  had 
previously  parked  his  large  supply  train,  guarded  by  a  single 
brigade,  he  heard  the  booming  of  cannon  in  the  direction  of 
Fayetteville.  In  flanking  General  Blunt,  General  Hindman 
had  unexpectedly  fallen  upon  the  army  of  General  Herron,  who 
at  once  gave  battle.  General  Blunt,  taking  in  the  situation, 
ordered  the  cavalry  forward  and  followed  with  his  infantry  and 
artillery  at  a  quick  pace  ;  so  rapid  was  his  march  that  the  last 
five  miles  were  made  in  one  hour.  About  two  o'clock  P.  M. 
the  cavalry  struck  the  left  rear  of  the  rebel  army  in  a  growth  of 
oak  timber,  upon  a  ridge  on  the  southern  side  of  a  prairie. 
Here  the  plucky  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry  run  their  little  mountain 

howitzers  under  the  very  noses  of  the  rebel  line  of  infantry  and 
12 


90  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

presented  their  compliments  in  a  storm  of  grape  and  canister. 
The  rebel  line  recoiled,  but  soon  rallied  and  captured  one  of  the 
howitzers.  Lieutenant  James  M.  Simeral,  Company  L,  with 
twenty  dismounted  men  of  Companies  L  and  M,  recaptured  the 
howitzer  and  brought  it  off  the  field.  It  was  a  most  daring  act 
of  bravery,  k  4  pluck  ' '  and  ' c  nerve, ' '  for  twenty  men  in  the  very 
face  of  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy  to  recapture  the 
gun.  Perhaps  none  except  Lieutenant  Simeral  and  a  few 
• i  dare  devils' '  of  these  companies  would  have  entertained  the 
thought  of  such  an  exploit  for  a  moment.  The  location  being 
most  unfavorable  for  a  cavalry  engagement,  all  the  cavalry  were 
ordered  to  take  position  upon  the  prairie,  and  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry  ordered  to  support  Allen's  Battery.  That  battery 
proved  to  be  well  able  to  take  care  of  itself,  for  guns  were  never 
worked  better.  The  battery  appeared  to  be  in  one  constant 
sheet  of  flame,  so  rapid  were  the  discharges.  Three  different 
times  the  rebels  charged  it  in  immense  numbers  from  their  cover 
upon  the  wooded  hillside,  and  as  many  times  they  would  waver, 
halt  and  retreat  in  the  utmost  disorder,  leaving  the  field  strewed 
with  dead  and  wounded.  In  this  battle  the  regiment  lost  one 
man,  W.  H.  Fortune,  Company  A,  wounded  ;  and  three  men. 
Loyal  E.  Ballon  and  James  Chambers,  Company  K,  and  -  — , 
captured. 

During  the  night  General  Hindman  muffled  the  wheels  of  his 
artillery  and  made  a  most  inglorious  retreat  over  the  Boston 
mountains,  leaving  his  dead  unburied  and  his  wounded  to  be 
oared  for  by  the  Union  forces. 

Our  entire  force  engaged  in  this  memorable  battle  did  not 
exceed  8,000  men,  while  that,  of  the  rebel  force  exceeded  25,000 
men.  General  He  mm  gave  battle  to  this  overwhelming  force 
with  3,300  men,  but  was  afterward  reinforced  by  General  Blunt 
with  5,000  men,  resulting  in  a  Waterloo  defeat  for  the  rebels. 
Our  entire  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  was  1,1 48— 
lf)T  killed.  798  wounded,  and  133  missing.  Many  of  the  miss 
ing  were  afterward  accounted  to  be  among  the  wounded.  The 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  91 

loss  of  the  enemy  has  never  been  ascertained,  but  from  reliable 
estimates  made  at  the  time  it  was  at  least  3,000.  More  than 
1,000  men  were  killed  and  buried  on  the  field. 

All  of  our  wounded  were  removed  to  general  field  hospitals 
which  had  been  established  at  Fayetteville.  Additional  Assist 
ant  Surgeon  Lothrop,  of  the  regiment,  was  ordered  to  take 
charge  of  one  of  them,  containing  eighty-four  patients,  located 
in  a  brick  church.  Fayetteville,  the  county  seat  of  Washington 
county,  was  quite  a  large,  well  built  town,  pleasantly  situated 
among  the  Boston  mountains.  Two  or  three  excellent  institu 
tions  of  learning  were  located  there.  The  battle  field  is  called 
Prairie  Grove  ;  also  (improperly)  Fayetteville  and  Illinois  creek. 
It  is  situated  some  ten  miles  southwest  from  Fayetteville,  on 
the  road  leading  from  Fayetteville  to  Cane  Hill.  The  Illinois 
creek,  or  river,  a  tributary  of  the  Arkansas  river,  is  its  north 
ern  boundary  line,  while  a  high  ridge  covered  with  timber  and 
dense  undergrowth  forms  the  southern  boundary.  This  prairie 
is  about  one  mile  wide,  and  extends  in  a  westerly  direction  for 
several  miles.  Portions  of  it  were  under  cultivation.  Allen's 
Battery  (one  of  General  Blunt's  batteries),  with  the  regiment 
(First  Iowa  Cavalry)  supporting  it,  were  located  in  one  of  the 
large  fields  of  corn.  A  church  and  a  number  of  farm  houses 
were  situated  in  the  groves  upon  the  ridge.  The  church  used 
as  a  rebel  hospital  was  called  k  k  Prairie  Grove  Church, ' '  from 
which  came  the  name  of  the  battle  field. 

In  order  that  there  be  no  more  mistakes  made  as  to  the  time, 
place  and  results  of  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  it  is  proper  to 
state  here  that  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove  occurred  on  Sunday, 
December  7th,  1862,  at  a  place  called  Prairie  Grove,  situated 
on  Illinois  creek,  or  river,  about  ten  miles  distant  to  the  south 
west  from  Fayetteville,  Arkansas. 

General  Herron,  with  his  little  army  of  3,300  men,  while  on 
the  march  to  reinforce  General  Blunt  at  Cane  Hill,  encountered 
on  that  day  a  rebel  force  of  not  less  than  25,000  men,  under 
Generals  Hindman,  Marmaduke  and  others,  near  that  place. 


92  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

The  battle  field  was  selected  by  General  Hindman.  General 
Herron's  army  fought  this  rebel  force  from  about  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning  until  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  without  assist 
ance.  At  that  time  General  Blunt  came  up  with  his  force  of 
5,000  and  then  Blunt  and  Herron  jointly  continued  the  fight 
until  dark,  resulting  in  a  most  disastrous  defeat,  and  a  rapid 
retreat  during  the  night  of  what  remained  of  this  immense 
rebel  force. 

The  following  is  one  of  General  Hindman's  orders,  issued 
upon  that  occasion  : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  CORPS  TRANS-MISSISSIPPI  ARMY, 

IN  THE  FIELD,  December  4th,  1862. 

SOLDIERS  : — From  the  commencement  to  the  end  of  the  battle  bear  in 
mind  what  I  now  urge  upon  you  : 

First.  Never  fire  because  your  comrades  do,  nor  because  the  enemy 
does  ;  nor  because  you  see  the  enemy  ;  nor  for  the  sake  of  firing  rapid 
ly.  Always  wait  till  they  are  certainly  within  the  range  of  your  gun, 
then  single  out  your  man,  take  deliberate  aim,  as  low  as  the  knee,  and 
fire. 

Second.  When  occasion  offers,  be  certain  to  pick  off  the  enemy's 
officers,  especially  the  mounted  ones,  and  to  kill  his  artillery  horses. 

Third.  Do  not  shout  except  when  you  charge  the  enemy.  As  a 
general  thing,  keep  silent,  that  orders  may  be  heard.  Obey  the  orders 
of  your  officers,  but  pay  no  attention  to  idle  rumors,  or  the  words  of 
unauthorized  persons. 

Fourth.  Do  not  stop  with  your  wounded  comrades  ;  the  surgeons 
and  infirmary  corps  will  take  care  of  them  ;  do  you  forward  and  avenge 
them. 

Fifth.  Do  not  break  ranks  to  plunder.  If  we  whip  the  enemy,  all 
he  has  will  be  ours  ;  if  not,  the  spoil  will  be  of  no  benefit  to  us.  Plun 
derers  and  stragglers  will  be  put  to  death  on  the  spot.  File  closers  are 
especially  charged  with  this  duty.  The  cavalry  in  rear  will  likewise 
attend  to  it. 

Remember  that  the  enemy  you  engage  with  has  no  feelings  of  mercy 
or  kindness  toward  you.  His  ranks  are  made  up  of  Pin  Indians,  free 
negroes.  Southern  tories,  Kansas  jayhawkers  and  hired  Dutch  cut 
throats.  These  bloody  ruffians  have  invaded  your  country  ;  stolen  and 
destroyed  your  property ;  murdered  your  neighbors ;  outraged  your 
women  ;  driven  your  children  from  their  homes  ;  and  defiled  the  graves 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  93 

of  your  kindred.  If  each  man  of  you  will  do  what  I  have  here  urged 
upon  you,  we  will  utterly  destroy  them.  We  can  do  this  ;  we  must  do 
it ;  our  country  will  be  ruined  if  we  fail.  A  just  God  will  strengthen 

our  arms,  and  give  us  a  glorious  victory. 

T.  C.  HINDMAN, 

Major  General  Commanding. 

Comment  is  unnecessary,  unless  it  is  to  state  that  soon  after 
General  Hindman  encountered  these  men  he  had  so  vilified,  he 
must  have  had  a  most  wholesome  respect  for  them,  as  his  supe 
riors  in  every  respect,  except  in  the  manner  of  conducting  a 
cowardly  retreat. 

A  brief  extract  of  a  lengthy  effusion  called  a  report  of  this 
battle,  by  one  Colonel  Joseph  Shelby,  who  claims  to  have  been 
in  command  of  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  at  that  time,  is  here  in 
serted,  not  for  any  historical  merit,  because  it  has  none,  but  as 
a  literary  curiosity,  illustrating  the  flights  of  imagination  taken 
by  some  of  the  rebel  officers  in  making  reports  of  their  paper 
battles  during  u  the  late  unpleasantness": 

When  the  final  struggle  came,  when  General  Parsons  met  the  shock 
of  Blunt1  s  entire  command,  this  regiment  formed  with  him  and  fought 
with  great  effect  and  intrepidity,  for  the  dead  and  wounded  Federals 
lying  stretched  out  in  their  gory  beds,  '  <  thick  as  autumnal  leaves  in 
Vallambrosa,11  can  well  attest  the  fury  and  courage  with  which  the  Mis- 
sourians  fought,  shoulder  to  shoulder  and  side  by  side.  Colonel 
Thompson,  Lieutenant  Colonel  (John  C.)  Hooper.  Major  Smith,  the 
Captain  of  each  respective  company,  were  amid  their  men,  and  did 
great  good  by  their  true  and  heroic  bearing.  Now  the  combat  thickens 
all  along  the  lines,  and  death,  with  its  black  banner  on  the  breeze, 
nerves  each  heart  and  cheers  them  on  to  the  rough,  red  fray.  Bledsoe 
was  there  amid  his  guns,  all  dirt-begrimed  and  powder-blackened,  ply 
ing  his  lurid  torch  where  balls  would  send  or  powder  search,  and 
never  once  during  that  long,  hot  day  were  they  silent  except  when  go 
ing  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  foe.  Colonel  Jeans,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Gordon  and  Lieutenant  Gregg  were  also  on  the  left  where  the  fire  was 
getting  hotter  and  hotter,  and  with  the  pilot1  s  wary  eye  steered  their 
commands  safely  through  the  breakers,  white  with  the  fire  of  deadly 
cannon  and  painted  with  all  the  dreaded  gloom  of  ghastly  war.  On  the 
right  that  part  of  my  command  under  Major  Kirtley  had  returned 


94  HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

from  a  successful  charge,  under  your  immediate  eye,  and  when  the 
dark  and  weird  shadows  of  nig-ht  had  closed  over  earth  and  sky  and 
the  dead  and  wounded,  reports  of  a  well  won  and  well  fougiit  battle 
came  cheerily  up  from  all  parts  of  the  field,  and  I  drew  my  command 
tog-ether  calmly  and  cautiously,  knowing-  that  the  day  in  all  its  bear 
ing's  was  ours.  Night  had  closed  the  march  of  death,  and  the  idle 
breeze  now  gave  no  murmur  back  to  tell  of  what  had  been  passing  but 
a  few  brief  moments  before. 

I  dismounted  my  entire  command,  moving  them  as  infantry  to  the 
road  leading  directly  down  to  the  house  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  be 
hind  the  batteries  there  stationed,  and  ordered  them  to  bivouac  without 
fires,  with  guns  in  their  hands  and  determination  in  their  hearts.  Down, 
down  upon  the  cold,  hard  earth,  without  a  murmur,  without  a  word 
spoken  above  a  whisper,  they  lay,  with  longing  eyes  stretched  far  away 
northward,  thinking  of  home  and  the  morrow  and  another  glorious 
day. 

Those  present  during  that  engagement,  knowing  the  facts, 
will  wonder  if  this  Colonel  Shelby  was  at  that  time  within 
twenty  miles  of  that  battle  field.  Nothing  in  his  "  report,*'  so 
far  as  examined,  indicates  his  presence  on  that  field.  To  illus 
trate  :  At  the  time  he  represents  that  he  dismounted  his  com 
mand,  and  ordered  them  to  bivouac  without  fire,  with  * l  guns  ' " 
in  their  hands,  and  they  went  "  Down,  down  upon  the  cold, 
hard  earth,  without  a  murmur,  without  a  word  spoken  above 
a  whisper,  they  lay  with  longing  eyes  stretched  far  away  north 
ward,  thinking  of  home,  and  the  morrow  and  another  glorious 
day, " '  those  fellows  were  l '  on  the  skedaddle  ' '  across  the  Bos 
ton  mountains  as  fast  as  their  attenuated  legs  would  carry  their 
cowardly  bodies.  And  they  did  not  stop  running  until  they 
reached  the  town  of  Van  Buren  some  forty-five  miles  away. 

The  regiment  camped  upon  the  battle  field  until  the  27th,  at 
which  time  it  took  an  active  part  in  the  expedition  to  Van  Bu 
ren,  a  town  situated  upon  the  Arkansas  river,  about  forty-five 
miles  south  from  the  camp  at  Prairie  Grove.  Van  Buren  was 
one  of  the  most  important  towns  in  the  State,  pleasantly  situ 
ated  upon  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  and  doing  a  large  com 
mercial  business.  The  sale  of  goods  before  the  war  exceeded 


HISTORY  OF  FIKST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  95 

one  million  dollars  annually.  It  was  a  most  important  depot  of 
supplies  for  the  rebel  army  in  that  section  of  country. 

At  Dripping  Springs,  a  small  town  about  ten  miles  from  Van 
Buren,  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  having  the  advance,  encoun 
tered  a  regiment  of  Texas  rangers  on  outpost  duty  at  that  place. 
A  charge  was  at  once  made,  and  a  most  confused  retreat  of  the 
rangers  followed.  All  the  paraphernalia  of  camp  life  were 
scattered  promiscuously  along  the  road.  The  retreat  and  pur 
suit  were  continued  into  Van  Buren,  and  the  victory  was  com 
plete.  One  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  taken  prisoners,  five 
Arkansas  river  steamboats  burned,  and  an  immense  amount  of 
property,  commissary  and  quartermaster  supplies,  were  cap 
tured  and  destroyed.  It  was  estimated  that  not  less  than 
$300,000  were  lost  to  the  rebellion.  On  the  31st  it  returned 
to  camp  at  Prairie  Grove,  having  taken  a  leading  part  in  the 
most  dashing  and  daring  expedition  which  had  yet  taken  place. 
It  was  essentially  a  cavalry  fight,  and  won  by  them— the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry  leading.  On  this  expedition  Captain  A.  G.  Mc 
Queen,  Company  A,  with  75  selected  men  of  the  regiment,  as 
an  escort  for  General  Schofield,  who  was  endeavoring  to  over 
take  Generals  Blunt  and  Herron,  (but  failed, )  marched  thirty- 
one  miles  across  the  mountains  in  three  hours  and  five  minutes, 
and  during  that  time  charged  through  a  squad  of  rebels.  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  (then  Captain)  McQueen  writes  :  k '  I  mention 
this  fact  as  it  surpasses  the  famous  poetic  ride  of  General  Sheri 
dan  to  -Winchester  town/  General  Schofield  was  greatly 
pleased  and  complimented  us  highly." 

General  Curtis,  in  his  report  to  General  Halleck,  said  :  fc '  The 
Army  of  the  Frontier,  under  Blunt  and  Herron,  moved  over 
the  Boston  mountains  Saturday,  and  without  halting,  driving 
the  enemy  across  the  Arkansas  river.  The 

march  of  forty-five  miles  with  arms  and  service,  over  the  moun 
tains  and  through  the  deep  mud  of  the  valley,  was  a  most  haz 
ardous  and  gallant  affair.'- 

The  battle  of  Prairie  Grove   and  the   subsequent   capture  of 


96  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Van  Buren  was  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  Union  cause. 
It  saved  Missouri  from  further  devastation.  It  gave  the  Union 
cause  in  western  Arkansas  great  assistance.  It  offered  an  op 
portunity  for  Union  men  who  had  been  hiding  in  the  caves  and 
fastnesses  of  the  Boston  mountains,  and  hunted  like  wild  beasts 
by  ' '  Southern  gentlemen, ' '  to  rally  for  country  and  home.  It 
broke  up  in  rout  and  demoralization  an  army  of  25,000  men, 
convincing  many  of  them  of  the  hopelessness  of  their  cause. 
It  was  a  powerfully  stunning  blow,  from  which  the  western 
portion  of  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy  never  recovered. 
No  victorious  rebel  army  ever  appeared  north  of  the  Arkansas 
river  afterward. 

The  close  of  the  year  found  the  regiment  in  camp  again  at 
Prairie  Grove.  During  the  year  1862  the  casualties  of  the 
regiment  had  been  so  great  that  275  recruits  were  sent  from  the 
State  to  fill  its  depleted  ranks. 


1863, 

At  seven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  January  2d  the  regiment, 
with  the  Third  Division  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier,  left  their 
camp  at  Prairie  Grove  and  commenced  a  retrograde,  meander 
ing  march  to  Missouri.  Marching  through  Fayetteville  it 
camped  about  three  miles  east  of  the  town,  on  the  north  branch 
of  White  river,  on  the  road  leading  to  Hunts ville,  a  small  town 
about  thirty  miles  distant  east  from  Fayetteville.  On  the  5th 
the  march  was  continued,  arriving  at  Hunts ville  on  the  evening 
of  the  6th.  We  were  again  among  the  rugged  hills  of  the 
Boston  mountains. 

The  object  of  this  march  was  to  intercept  the  rebel  General 
Marmaduke  in  his  retreat  from  an  unsuccessful  raid  into  Mis 
souri  through  the  passes  of  these  mountains. 

On  the  10th  the  army  left  Huntsville,  and  from  this  time 
until  the  19th.  when  it  arrived  on  the  south  bank  of  White 
river,  opposite  Forsyth,  the  county  seat  of  Taney  county,  Mis 
souri,  it  was  a  slow,  tedious  and  disagreeable  march  among  the 
hills  and  valleys  of  the  Ozark  range.  The  line  of  inarch  crossed 
Dry  and  Osage  forks,  branches  of  Kings  river,  Crooked  creek, 
a  branch  of  White  river,  through  the  town  of  Carrollton,  the 
county  seat  of  Carroll  county,  Arkansas,  to  White  river.  Dur 
ing  this  march  scouting  parties  were  sent  out  at  various  times, 
and  skirmishes  with  the  enemy  were  of  frequent  occurrence.  I 
quote  a  few  extracts  from  iny  notes  made  at  that  time  in  refer 
ence  to  the  march,  etc. 

January  2d. — Assistant    Surgeon  Allen  reported  from   sick 

leave. 

13 


98  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th  arrived  at  Huntsville  and  camped 
on  a  hill  east  of  town.  Many  fine  boiling  springs  of  pure,  clear 
cold  water  were  passed  during  the  day.  Plenty  of  forage  in 
this  vicinity. 

On  the  10th  marched  and  camped  a  few  miles  from  Kings 
River  Mills,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Huntsville. 

January  llth.  Remained  in  camp  until  one  o'clock  p.  M., 
awaiting  orders.  At  that  time  marched  eight  miles  and  camped 
at  dark  on  Osage  creek,  about  seven  miles  distant  from  Car 
roll  ton. 

f January  12th.  Marched  this  morning  at  nine  o'clock,  and 
reached  Carrollton.  the  county  seat  of  Carroll  county,  a  small 
town  situated  on  Crooked  creek,  now  nearly  deserted.  Major 
Caldwell,  with  400  men  of  the  regiment,  returned  from  an  ex 
pedition  to  Kingston.  On  that  expedition  the  extensive  salt 
petre  works  located  at  Kingston,  a  small  town  in  Madison 
county,  on  Buffalo  creek,  a  branch  of  White  river,  and  operated 
by  the  rebel  government,  were  entirely  destroyed,  and  several 
tons  of  saltpetre  burned.  The  works  were  situated  upon  a 
mountain  side,  and  guarded  by  a  company  of  75  men.  The 
"boys"  dismounted  and  made  a  rapid  ascent  of  the  moun 
tain,  while  the  >  •  guards ' '  as  rapidly  disappeared  over  the  op 
posite  side,  in  full  retreat.  After  the  destruction  of  the  works, 
Captain  McQueen,  Company  A,  with  200  men,  was  ordered  to 
destroy  another  saltpetre  factory  about  ten  miles  distant,  which 
was  accomplished. 

Extensive  caves  of  nitre  earth,  yielding  from  three  to  six  per 
cent,  of  saltpetre,  are  found  in  this  vicinity.  It  being  easily 
obtained  and  manufactured  at  little  expense,  with  the  almost 
impossibility  of  replacing  the  machinery,  steam  engines,  ket 
tles,  etc.,  the  destruction  of  the  works  was  a  severe  blow  to  the 
rebel  government.  While  returning,  and  in  camp  near  Kings 
ton,  M  drove  of  horses  and  mules  destined  for  the  rebel  army 
was  captured  and  39  men  taken  prisoners.  Our  loss  was  one 
man  wounded,  George  W.  Patterson,  Company  C.  Patterson 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  99 

was  severely  burned  about  the  face  and  eyes  while  rescuing  a 
sick  and  helpless  rebel  soldier  from  a  burning  building.  He 
heard  the  soldier's  cry  for  help,  went  to  his  assistance,  and 
brought  him  safely  out — a  most  heroic  and  humane  act,  but 
attended  with  a  most  sad  result  to  Patterson,  as  the  injury  to 
his  eyes  resulted  in  total  permanent  blindness  in  both  eyes. 
Lieutenant  Dustin,  Sergeant  H.  L.  Morrill,  Corporal  Newell 
and  H.  E.  Wisener  were  complimented  for  great  gallantry  dis 
played  upon  the  occasion.  Captain  Jenks,  Company  D,  killed 
the  leader  of  a  band  of  citizens  in  ambush,  in  a  hand-to-hand 
encounter. 

January  13th.  All  the  available  cavalry  forces  of  the  divis 
ion,  under  Colonel  Gower,  marched  on  an  expedition  to  Yell- 
ville.  the  county  seat  of  Marion  county,  to  again  intercept 
Marmaduke  in  his  so  far  unsuccessful  retreat  into  Arkansas. 
Marching  thirty  miles  in  storm  and  mud,  we  camped  at  night 
without  shelter.  During  the  night  the  weather  became  cold. 
At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  14th  we  passed  through 
Yellville,  and  camped  at  Talbofs  ferry,  on  White  river,  ten 
miles  distant  east  from  Yellville.  The  weather  is  cold,  and  it 
has  commenced  to  snow.  These  notes  are  written  in  a  deserted 
house  by  firelight.  Greene's  (rebel)  forces  are  reported  to  be 
in  our  rear.  But  Marmaduke  has  not  yet  put  in  an  appear 
ance. 

January  15th.  The  ground  is  covered  with  snow,  and  still 
snowing,  freezing  arid  growing  colder.  Countermarched  in  the 
direction  of  Yellville.  Leaving  that  town  on  the  left,  we 
marched  on  the  road  to  our  camp  near  Carrollton.  It  was  ex 
ceedingly  cold  all  day,  much  like  our  northern  winter  days. 
At  night  we  camped  at  a  hamlet  called  Belfont,  also  called 
Logtown,  twenty  miles  from  our  camp. 

On    the    16th  the  weather  had  become  colder.      Many  of  the 

soldiers'  ears  and  toes  had   become  frost-bitten.      The  mud  and 

water  in  the  road  had  frozen  solid,  and  horses,  being  4  k  smooth- 

•  shod,"  traveled  with   great   difficulty.      We   reached  our  camp 


100  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

near  Carrollton  about  three  o'clock  p.  M.,  having  marched  a 
distance  of  one  hundred  miles,  taken  thirty-nine  prisoners,  and 
captured  a  considerable  amount  of  property. 

January  17th.  A  supply  train  from  Forsythville  came  up 
and  issued  much  needed  rations.  General  Herron  having  left 
the  army,  Colonel  Gower  assumed  command  of  the  Third  Di 
vision.  Marched  in  a  northeasterly  direction  at  ten  o'clock, 
and  camped  at  night  on  a  branch  of  White  river,  ten  miles  dis 
tant  from  Carrollton. 

January  18th.  A  heavy  sleet  is  now  falling,  making  the 
march  very  uncomfortable.  To-day  our  line  of  march  has  been 
among  the  hills,  through  a  vast  pine  forest,  almost  uninhabited, 
with  no  water  during  the  last  fifteen  miles  traveled.  Camped 
late  at  night,  on  the  mountain,  at  a  Dr.  Leighton's  saw  mill,  in 
a  drizzling  rain.  The  country  through  which  we  passed  to-day 
is  called  k  l  the  White  river  brakes. ' ' 

January  19th.  Marched  this  morning  at  nine  o'clock,  and 
reached  White  river,  opposite  Forsyth,  at  three  P.  M.  The 
storm  continues.  On  account  of  the  high  stage  of  water  we 
cannot  cross.  Camped  on  the  banks. 

January  22d.  The  infantry  crossed  the  river  to-day  by 
means  of  a  small  ferry  boat.  The  cavalry  attempted  to  cross 
by  swimming  their  horses.  Corporal  James  Robinson,  Com 
pany  A,  was  drowned  while  thus  crossing.  After  which,  cross 
ing  in  this  manner  was  abandoned. 

On  the  24th  the  regiment  crossed  on  the  ferry  boat  and 
camped  in  the  deserted  town.  Forsyth  in  antebellum  days  was 
a  small,  well  built  town,  doing  a  thriving  business.  White 
river,  at  a  high  stage  of  water,  is  navigable  to  this  place,  which 
made  it  quite  an  important  shipping  point.  It  is  now  entirely 
deserted,  and  the  vicinity  infested  with  guerillas  and  despera 
does. 

The  command  remained  here  until  February  IHth,  the  regi 
ment  doing  scouting  and  outpost  duty.  Theodore  LcBau,  pri 
vate  Company  G.  and  James  Wood,  private  Company  K,  died 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  101 

in  regimental  hospital,  and  were  buried  with  military  honors. 
While  in  camp  here,  Zachariah  E.  Thomas,  private  Company 
A,  killed  the  notorious  outlaw,  Alf  Boland,  in  a  hand-to-hand 
encounter.  For  this  daring  act  Thomas  was  promoted  to  a 
Lieutenantcy  in  the  Eleventh  Missouri  Cavalry. 

On  the  morning  of  February  16th,  the  regiment  with  the 
division,  except  Companies  B  and  M  and  the  Nineteenth  Iowa 
Infantry,  (which  were  ordered  to  remain  here  to  hold  the  posi 
tion,)  marched  for  Lake  Springs,  in  Dent  county,  Missouri,  ar 
riving  at  that  place  March  31st.  The  following  are  extracts 
from  notes  made  during  the  march. 

February  16th.  Left  Forsyth  this  morning  at  eight  o'clock. 
Regiment  rear  guard  for  train.  A  rainy  day.  Camped  on 
Swan  creek,  about  ten  miles  distant  north  from  Forsyth. 

17th.  The  march  continued  on  Swan  creek  for  a  distance  of 
eight  or  ten  miles,  and  reaching  Elk  Horn  creek  we  camped 
three  miles  from  its  mouth.  During  the  day  we  passed  through 
a  small  village  called  Swanville.  Distance  marched,  fifteen 
miles. 

18th.  Marched  at  eight  o'clock  this  morning,  and  camped 
on  Finley  creek,  about  thirty  miles  east  from  Springfield,  in 
Webster  county.  The  roads  are  in  a  "horrible  condition.''  A 
portion  of  our  transportation  has  not  come  up.  Forage  scarce 
and  our  teams  are  suffering  for  the  want  of  it.  Distance 
inarched,  fifteen  miles. 

1 9th.  A  portion  of  the  transportation  has  not  yet  come  up, 
and  some  of  the  companies  are  suffering  for  the  want  of  tents 
to  protect  them  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather.  We  are 
now  in  camp  in  a  nice  position,  on  an  eminence,  in  an  oak 
grove.  A  good  supply  of  forage  here. 

3()th.  Surgeon  Cochran  returned  from  leave  of  absence  to 
resume  his  duties  as  Medical  Director  of  this  division. 

21st.      Snowing  and  quite  cold. 

22d.  Washington's  birthday.  The  people  here  are  for  the 
•'old  flag."  The  Eighth  Regiment  Missouri  Cavalry  was 


102  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

raised   in   this   vicinity,   and   many  of  them  are  visiting  their 
homes. 

23d.  While  privates  Marchant,  Company  C,  B.  E.  Lake. 
Company  I,  E.  Groom,  Jesse  Slough,  G.  W.  Shaver  and  M. 
R.  Shaver,  Company  D,  were  on  duty  six  miles  from  camp, 
they  were  surprised  and  captured,  with  their  horses,  equipments 
and  arms,  by  a  squad  of  the  enemy  dressed  in  our  uniform. 

24th.  Scouting  party,  under  command  of  Chaptain  Chase, 
Company  C,  was  sent  out  this  morning  in  the  direction  of  For- 
syth.  A  stormy  evening. 

25th.  The  weather  continues  stormy  and  a  high  wind  pre 
vails.  This  evening  our  bugler  and  Charlie  Barlow,  Company 
F,  called  at  the  hospital  and  most  agreeably  entertained  us  in 
the  way  of  music. 

26th.  This  morning  the  sun  is  shining,  and  the  weather 
pleasant — springlike. 

27th.  Cloudy  this  evening,  with  indications  of  another 
storm.  Scouting  party  which  had  been  sent  out  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Forsyth  returned  to-day,  and  a  detail  from  the  regiment 
sent  to  Springfield. 

28th.  It  rained  hard  all  night,  and  continued  at  intervals 
to-day.  A  scouting  party  of  50  men  ordered  out.  The  five 
men  who  were  captured  on  the  25th  returned  to  camp  on  foot, 
having  been  paroled. 

March  1st.  Weather  variable,  with  high  winds.  A  large 
scouting  party  has  been  ordered  out,  to  report  to-morrow 
morning  at  eight  o'clock. 

March  2d.  The  command  marched  this  morning  at  eight 
o'clock  in  an  easterly  direction.  The  scouting  party  ordered  to 
report  this  morning  will  act  as  vanguard  to  the  army.  Camped 
at  three  o'clock  p.  M.  on  Baker's  creek,  the  Cwhead  waters"  of 
the  Gasconade  river.  It  has  been  a  cold,  blustering  day.  A 
part  of  the  transportation  did  not  come  up.  Company  E,  the 
rear  guard,  is  with  it.  Distance  marched,  twelve  miles.  Lo 
cated  hospital  at  Joseph  Spencer's  house — a  rebel. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  103 

March  3d.  Marched  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock,  and 
camped  on  Wolf  creek,  a  branch  of  the  Gasconade  river,  eight 
miles  southwest  from  Hartville,  the  county  seat  of  Wright 
county,  and  fifteen  miles  southeast  from  Hazelwood,  in  Web 
ster  county.  Company  E,  with  the  delayed  transportation,  has 
not  yet  come  up.  Distance  marched,  eight  miles. 

March  4th.  Weather  this  morning  quite  cold.  Marched  at 
seven  o'clock.  Rear  guard  with  transportation  came  up  to-day. 
Camped  about  two  o'clock  P.  M.  ,  at  a  small  town  called  Moun 
tain  Grove,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Wright  county,  seven 
teen  miles  southwest  from  Hartville,  and  about  one  mile  from 
Mountain  Store,  another  small  town  in  Texas  county.  The 
town  (Mountain  Grove)  is  pleasantly  situated  on  one  of  the  ex 
tensive  plateaus  of  the  Ozark  range,  covered  with  groves  of 
small  oak  timber.  The  country  in  this  vicinity  is  one  succes 
sion  of  peaks  and  valleys.  A  large  spring  near  the  town  sup 
plies  it  with  clear,  pure  water.  A  seminary,  called  kbThe 
Mountain  Grove  Seminary, ' '  is  located  here,  but  was  closed  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion.  It  is  reported  to  have  been  a 
nourishing  institution  of  learning,  and  sufficiently  large  to  ac 
commodate  one  hundred  students.  The  town  was  a  hot-bed  of 
secessionists,  and  is  now  nearly  deserted.  Distance  marched 
to-day,  eighteen  miles. 

The  army  remained  at  this  place  until  the  16th.  Scouting 
parties  were  frequently  sent  out  in  various  directions,  and  many 
of  the  enemy  taken  prisoners.  Forage  was  very  scarce  ;  trains 
were  sent  out  twelve  miles  to  obtain  it.  Henry  C.  Skinner, 
private  Company  G,  and  Sergeant  William  Brim,  Company  I, 
died  in  regimental  hospital  here  in  camp,  and  were  buried  with 
military  honors. 

The  Second  Division  of  the  army  was  in  camp  near  the  town 
of  Bloomington,  called  also  Waldo  and  Lick  Skillet,  near  Ha 
zelwood.  on  a  branch  of  the  Gasconade  river,  in  Webster  county, 
about  fifteen  miles  to  the  northeast  from  our  camp.  Our  camp 


104  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

is  located  on  a  small  stream   called  Whetstone  creek,  another 
branch  of  the  Gasconade  river. 

March  6th.  A  stormy,  blustering  day.  Our  horses  have 
suffered  more  from  exposure  yesterday  and  to-day  than  at  any 
time  on  the  march.  Our  forage  train  was  fired  upon  to-day. 
A  large  scouting  party  has  been  sent  out  under  Colonel  Ber 
tram,  Twentieth  Wisconsin  Infantry. 

March  7th.  Stormy  and  windy.  Last  night  was  another 
severe  night  for  our  horses. 

March  8th.  Storm  continues.  A  kiblue  day."  Scouting 
party  returned  with  seven  prisoners,  among  whom  was  a  Cap 
tain  in  General  Hindman's  army. 

March  16th.  The  command  marched  this  morning  in  an 
easterly  direction,  and  camped  on  a  branch  of  the  Big  Piney 
fork  of  the  Gasconade  river,  near  a  small  town  called  Cedar 
Bluffs,  in  Texas  county. 

March  17th.  Marched  and  camped  at  Pleasant  Valley,  on  a 
branch  of  the  Current  river,  about  fifteen  miles  in  an  easterly 
direction  from  Houston,  the  county  seat  of  Texas  county. 

March  18th.  Marched  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock,  and 
camped  about  noon  at  a  place  called  Casta  Valley,  near  the 
eastern  line  of  Texas  county.  There  is  a  great  scarcity  of  water 
and  forage  here,  and  our  animals  are  suffering  in  consequence. 
Daniel  Hopper,  private  of  Company  G,  died  at  this  camp,  and 
was  buried  with  military  honors.  Distance  marched,  twelve 
miles. 

March  19th.  Marched  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock  in  a 
northeasterly  direction.  Crossed  Current  river  and  camped  at 
Gladden  Valley,  on  Barren  fork  of  Sinking  creek,  near  a  small 
town  called  Richmond  Hill,  in  Shannon  county.  Distance 
marched,  fifteen  miles.  Gladden  Valley  is  situated  forty-five 
miles  southeast  from  Rolla,  seventy-five  miles  southwest  from 
Ironton,  and  fifteen  miles  north  from  Eminence,  the  county  seat 
of  this  county.  The  command  remained  here  until  the  30th. 
While  in  camp  at  this  place  the  regiment  received  250  Colts" 


HERBERT  L.  MILLS    Co. 
JOAB  SOMBRS,  Co.  L. 


LEWIS  E.  DEAN,  Bugler,  Co.  M. 
II.  J.  LEONARD,  Sergeant,  Co.  L. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  105 

improved  army  revolvers,  500  sabers,  and  600  Sharp's  breech- 
loading  carbines.  For  the  first  time  during  its  service  its  arma 
ment  is  nearly  complete.  Previous  to  this  time  almost  every 
description  of  arms  could  be  found  in  it,  from  a  Philadelphia 
rifle  to  the  original  horse  pistol. 

March  20th.  To-day  received  commission  as  Assistant  Sur 
geon  of  the  regiment.  Sworn  into  the  United  States  service 
by  Acting  Adjutant  Lieutenant  George  M.  Walker,  Company 
D.  All  the  effective  force  of  the  command  is  ordered  to  be 
ready  to  march  on  an  expedition  to  Oregon  county  to-morrow 
morning. 

March  21st.  Marched  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock  in  a 
southerly  direction,  passing  our  camping  ground  of  yesterday, 
and  camped  on  Jack's  fork,  a  branch  of  Current  river.  Distance 
marched,  forty  miles. 

March  22d.  Marched  this  morning  at  daylight,  crossing- 
Jack's  fork  at  a  saw  mill,  and  after  inarching  about  eighteen 
miles  camped  on  the  farm  of  a  German  farmer  in  Howard 
county,  near  Kings  mountain,  about  twenty-five  miles  distant 
northwest  from  Thomasville,  the  county  seat  of  Oregon  county. 
We  are  on  the  road  leading  from  Thomasville  to  Houston  in 
Texas  county.  It  has  been  storming  all  day.  and  the  roads  are 
exceedingly  muddy. 

March  23d.  Rained  all  night,  and  still  raining.  Passed  a 
most  uncomfortable  night.  A  scouting  party  of  75  men  or 
dered  out,  and  the  balance  of  the  command  to  countermarch. 
The  rain  storm  is  very  severe.  Camped  on  camping  ground  of 
the  21st,  on  Jack's  forks. 

March  24th.  Marched  at  daylight,  and  camped  at  night  at 
the  foot  of  a  high  hill,  as  one  enters  Gladden  Valley  from  the 
south.  Distance  marched,  twenty-eight  miles. 

March  25th.      Marched  this  morning  at  sunrise.      Crossing- 
Current   river,    we   arrived  in  camp  at  Gladden  Valley  before 
noon.      Distance   marched,  twelve  miles.      There  are  numerous 
passes  among  these   mountains,  and  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
14 


106  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

intercept   any   small    force  of   the   enemy  desiring   to   march 
through  them. 

March  28th.  William  Andrews,  private  Company  C,  died 
in  regimental  hospital  to-day,  and  was  buried  with  military 
honors.  About  four  miles  east  from  our  camp  a  magnificent 
spring  issues  from  beneath  a  high  ledge  of  rocks,  throwing  out 
an  immense  volume  of  water.  It  furnishes  power  for  a  flour 
ing  mill,  and  is  the  fountain  head  of  Beaver  creek,  a  branch  of 
Current  river. 

March  30th.  The  army  marched  this  morning  at  eight 
o'clock,  and  camped  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  ,  about  seven  miles 
south  from  Salem,  on  the  road  leading  to  Rolla.  Distance 
marched,  ten  miles. 

March  31st.  Marched  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock  on  the 
road  leading  to  Rolla.  Passed  through  Salem,  and  camped 
at  about  three  p.  M.  at  a  place  called  Laketon.  Distance 
marched,  nineteen  miles.  Salem  is  the  county  seat  of  Dent 
county.  It  is  a  small  town,  and  said  to  have  been  in  a  flour 
ishing  condition  before  the  war.  A  female  seminary,  a  few 
stores  and  a  hotel  are  located  here.  The  town  is  nearly  de 
serted.  The  buildings  are  now  occupied  by  a  force  of  the  State 
militia.  Laketon  is  a  hamlet  situated  on  the  Meramec  creek  or 
river,  about  thirteen  miles  south  from  Rolla,  near  the  northern 
line  of  Dent  county.  A  large  female  academy  is  located 
at  this  place  but  is  now  closed.  Our  camp  is  called  Lake 
Springs  from  the  fact  that  a  very  large  spring,  forming  a  small 
lake,  and  furnishing  sufficient  water  for  the  army,  is  situated 
near  the  camp.  The  regiment  remained  here  in  camp  until 
June  llth,  scouting,  and  doing  picket  and  outpost  service. 

April  3d.  Received  official  notice  of  the  appointment  of 
Surgeon  Cochran  as  Medical  Director  of  the  Army  of  the 
Frontier. 

April  !Mh.  George  Hollingsworth,  private  Company  I),  died 
in  regimental  hospital  to-day,  and  was  buried  with  military 
honors. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  107 

April  19th.  To-day  Assistant  Surgeon  Allen  received  his 
commission  as  Surgeon  of  the  Thirtieth  Iowa  Infantry.  A 
most  worthy  promotion. 

April  21st.  A  detachment  of  500  men  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  and  250  of  the  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  under  com 
mand  of  Major  Caldwell,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  with  no  trans 
portation,  marched  to  join  an  expedition  under  Brigadier 
General  Vandever,  to  attack  General  Marmaduke  in  his  raid 
into  southeastern  Missouri.  Marmaduke  is  reported  to  be  in 
the  vicinity  of  Pilot  Knob,  in  Iron  county,  with  a  force  of 
7,000  cavalry  and  artillery.  The  following  are  extracts  from 
my  notes  made  during  that  expedition. 

April  21st,  Left  camp  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.  Marched 
fourteen  miles  and  camped  at  eight  o'clock,  two  miles  east  of 
Salem,  on  the  road  leading  to  Ironton  and  Pilot  Knob.  At 
this  camp  we  were  joined  by  the  First,  Sixth  and  Seventh  Mis 
souri  Cavalry  Regiments,  Battery  — ,  First  Missouri  Light 
Artillery,  and  three  howitzers. 

April  22d.  Marched  at  four  o'clock  this  morning,  the  regi 
ment  being  the  advance  guard.  Passed  Howe's  Mill  on  Huzza' s 
creek,  and  camped  on  Cottery  creek  about  seven  P.  M.  Dis 
tance  marched,  twenty-six  miles. 

April  23d.  Marched  this  morning  at  six  o'clock.  One 
hundred  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  have  been  ordered  to  report 
to  General  Vandever  as  body  guard.  Passed  through  O  K,  a 
small  deserted  town.  It  was  formerly  quite  a  "  business'1 
place.  A  pottery  wras  located  here,  and  quite  a  business  car 
ried  on  in  grape  culture  and  the  manufacture  of  wine.  Ar 
rived  at  Pilot  Knob  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  Distance  marched, 
thirty  miles.  The  people  are  very  much  excited,  fearing  an 
immediate  attack  by  General  Marmaduke's  forces.  Telegraphic 
communication  with  St.  Louis  has  been  cut  off  by  the  enemy, 
and  alarms  are  frequent. 

April  25th.  Reveille  sounded  this  morning  at  three  o'clock, 
and  boots  and  saddles  at  four  o'clock.  Not  finding  the  enemy 


108  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

at  this  place,  the  command  marched  at  twelve  o'clock  M.  ,  and 
camped  at  Fredericktown,  the  county  seat  of  Madison  county, 
at  four  o'clock  p.  M.  ,  marching  a  distance  of  twenty-one  miles. 

April  26th.  Marched  this  morning  at  six  o'clock.  Passed 
through  a  small  town  called  Paton,  in  Bollinger  county,  about 
noon,  (this  place  was  the  rebel  camp  of  yesterday,)  and  bivou 
acked  about  three  miles  from  Jackson,  the  county  seat  of  Cape 
Girardeau  county,  and  one  mile  from  the  enemy's  camp.  Dis 
tance  marched,  thirty-six  miles.  General  Marmaduke  attacked 
the  city  of  Cape  Girardeau,  but  having  been  defeated  by  Gen 
eral  McNeil,  commanding  that  post,  he  had  fallen  back  toward 
Jackson,  supposing  that  his  line  of  retreat  was  a  safe  one—not 
knowing  that  a  force  within  a  short  distance  was  already  mak 
ing  preparations  to  destroy  that  portion  of  his  army,  camped 
so  dangerously  near  it,  It  was  Colonel  Newton's  regiment  of 
General  Burbridge's  command.  They  were  camped  on  the 
road  leading  from  Jackson  to  Dallas,  the  county  seat  of  Bol 
linger  county. 

A  midnight  attack  was  planned,  the  details  of  which  were 
entrusted  to  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Lieutenant  Hursh,  Com 
pany  F,  with  20  men  and  two  howitzers  loaded  with  grape  and 
canister,  quietly  made  their  way.  capturing  their  pickets,  to 
within  about  thirty  yards  of  the  unsuspecting  rebels,  and  dis 
charged  simultaneously  howitzers  and  carbines  into  their  camp, 
and  before  they  had  recovered  from  their  surprise  the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry  charged  upon  the  thoroughly  demoralized  men. 
In  their  haste  to  escape  everything  was  left  behind.  Many  were 
killed  ;  fifty-three  horses,  arms,  camp  equipage,  and  several 
thousand  dollars'  worth  of  stolen  property,  were  captured.  It 
was  a  most  brilliant  affair,  and  our  First  Cavalry  received  most 
flattering  commendations  for  their  dashing  and  daring  midnight 
attack. 

The  exploit  of  marching  nearly  forty  miles  during  the  day, 
and  with  scarcely  a  halt,  successfully  attacking  and  destroying 
a  camp  of  a  greatly  superior  force  at  midnight,  and  at  dawn  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  109 

next  morning  in  the  saddle  and  in  full  pursuit  of  the  retreating 
foe,  is  not  found  recorded  elsewhere  in  the  history  of  the 
rebellion. 

April  27th.  Marched  at  daylight.  Marmaduke  in  his  re 
treat  is  endeavoring  to  prevent  pursuit  by  burning  and  destroy 
ing  bridges  in  his  rear.  Our  advance  is  so  close  upon  him 
that  the  work  is  not  effectually  performed.  Skirmishing  con 
tinued  throughout  the  day.  He  has  succeeded  in  destroying 
the  bridge  at  the  crossing  of  White  Water  river,  and  we  are 
obliged  to  camp  for  the  night. 

April  28th.  Bridge  repaired  by  General  McNeil's  forces, 
which  came  up  as  reinforcements  last  night,  with  a  supply  train. 
As  we  had  been  ordered  out  with  but  five  days'  rations,  and 
this  being  the  eighth  day  out,  it  can  well  be  imagined  that  the 
appearance  of  a  commissary  train  was  most  welcome.  There 
was  very  little  food  to  be  obtained  from  the  country  through 
Avhich  we  were  marching.  It  was  an  unproductive  region  at 
the  best,  and  the  rebel  army  had  devoured  what  little  had  been 
produced.  Our  rations  had  become  entirely  exhausted  and  we 
were  exceedingly  hungry.  Crossed  White  Water  river  at  noon, 
and  marched  all  night  in  a  rain  storm,  stopping  for  a  few  min 
utes  to  feed  our  horses.  Our  march  was  necessarily  slow  and 
uncomfortable. 

April  29th.  Reached  Spring  Hill,  a  small  town  near  Pike- 
ton,  in  Stoddard  county,  five  miles  from  Castor  Creek  Ford. 
Arrived  at  the  ford  this  afternoon.  Here  the  enemy  made  a 
determined  resistance,  but  were  in  a  short  time  compelled  to 
abandon  their  position,  and  a  portion  of  the  command  crossed 
this  evening.  The  regiment  with  a  battery  remained  until 
morning  to  protect  the  ford. 

April  30th.  Crossed  Castor  creek  this  morning,  and  marched 
all  day  and  a  portion  of  the  night  on  a  very  bad  road,  and 
camped  twenty-seven  miles  from  the  ford. 

May  1st.  The  regiment  having  the  advance  this  morning,  it 
attacked  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  at  a  place  about  forty  miles 


110  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

distant  from  Chalk  Bluffs,  a  small  town  at  a  crossing  of  the  St. 
Francis  river.  At  Bloomfield  and  other  places  the  enemy 
formed  in  line  of  battle,  but  was  immediately  driven  from  his 
position  by  the  regiment,  and  the  retreat  and  pursuit  renewed. 
In  .this  manner  the  fighting  continued  all  day,  and  until  night 
prevented  further  operations.  The  distance  covered  by  this 
running  fight  was  thirty-seven  miles,  to  a  place  about  three 
miles  distant  from  Chalk  Bluffs.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  was 
three  wounded — Sergeant  William  Hunter  and  private  William 
George,  Company  F,  and  private  Charles  D.  Esson,  Company 
L.  (Sergeant  Hunter  died  in  general  hospital  at  Cape  Gi- 
rardeau,  from  the  effects  of  his  wound,  May  25th.)  The  ene 
my's  loss  severe,  but  not  known. 

May  2d.  The  wounded  were  sent  to  a  small  town  passed 
yesterday  called  Four  Mile.  The  enemy  crossed  the  river  last 
night  and  this  morning  under  cover  of  their  batteries,  our  forces 
skirmishing  with  them  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  The  loss  of 
the  regiment  was  two  wounded — privates  Milton  S.  Clark  and 
Theodore  Y.  Creamer,  Company  I. 

Having  driven  the  enemy  out  of  the  State  and  across  the  St. 
Francis  river,  the  command  countermarched  and  camped  nine 
miles  distant  from  Chalk  Bluffs,  on  the  road  leading  to  Bloom- 
field,  the  county  seat  of  Stoddard  county,  taking  all  the 
wounded  with  us  in  ambulances. 

May  3d.  Marched  this  morning  and  arrived  at  Bloomfield 
at  three  o'clock  p.  M.,  at  which  place  a  temporary  hospital  was 
established  and  the  wounded  cared  for.  Distance  marched, 
twenty-four  miles.  Bloomfield  is  thirty-three  miles  distant 
north  from  Chalk  Bluffs. 

May  4th.  Marched  this  morning  at  six  o'clock.  The 
ambulances  containing  the  wounded,  with  a  large  escort,  were 
ordered  to  take  the  advance,  for  the  purpose  of  reaching  Cape 
Girardeau  as  speedily  as  possible.  The  roads  are  bad,  and 
progress  slow  on  account  of  the  condition  of  the  roads  and  a 
severe  rain  storm.  We  stopped  for  the  night  at  a  farm  house 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  Ill 

twenty-two  miles  from  Cape  Girardeau,  at  which  place  the 
wounded  were  well  provided  for.  Distance  marched,  twenty- 
eight  miles. 

May  5th.  Marched  this  morning  at  six  o'clock.  Still  rain 
ing.  Arrived  at  Cape  Girardeau  at  four  o'clock  p.  M.  ,  and  the 
wounded  taken  to  general  hospital.  Distance  marched,  twenty- 
two  miles. 

Cape  Girardeau  is  quite  a  large  city,  situated  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Mississippi  river,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Cape 
Girardeau  county.  It  is  quite  an  extensive  depot  for  army 
supplies,  which  fact  attracted  Marmaduke's  attention,  resulting 
in  an  attempt  to  capture  the  place.  The  inhabitants  are  mostly 
German  and  French.  A  nunnery  and  Catholic  school  for 
young  ladies  are  located  here.  Many  fine  residences  adorn  the 
place. 

May  6th.     The  regiment  with  the  command  arrived  to-day. 

The  regiment  remained  here  until  the  8th.  At  three  o'clock 
p.  M.  on  the  8th  it  marched  on  a  countermarch  to  camp  at  Lake 
Springs — Colonel  Wickersham,  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  in  com 
mand  of  division,  and  Major  Caldwell,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  in 
command  of  our  brigade.  Camped  at  seven  o'clock  p.  M.  on 
the  noted  night  charge  battle  field.  Distance  marched,  thirteen 
miles. 

May  9th.  Marched  at  six  o'clock  this  morning  on  the  road 
leading  to  Pilot  Knob,  reaching  that  place  on  the  10th  at 
twelve  o'clock  M.,  having  marched  sixty  miles. 

We  remained  here  until  the  12th,  at  which  time  the  regi 
ment,  with  the  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  marched  on  the  road 
to  Rolla,  and  camped  on  our  camping  ground  of  April  22d. 
A  stormy  night.  Occupied  quarters  with  Major  Caldwell  in  a 
corn  crib.  Distance  inarched,  twenty-six  miles. 

May  13th.  Marched  this  morning  in  a  rain  storm,  and 
camped  at  five  o'clock  P.  M.  on  the  camping  ground  of  April 
21st,  one  mile  east  of  Salem. 

May  14th.      Marched  at  six  o'clock  and  reached  our  camp  at 


112  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Lake  Springs  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  having  been  absent  twenty- 
four  days,  marched  a  distance  of  five  hundred  miles,  and  for  six 
days  engaged  in  a  continuous  running  fight. 

During  this  time  the  detachment  suffered  on  account  of  a 
lack  of  a  supply  of  rations,  having  been  without  a  supply  for 
nearly  three  days — and  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
having  no  tents  to  protect  us  from  the  severe  rain  storms  en 
countered  during  the  march. 

On  our  return  to  camp  we  received  a  most  hearty  welcome 
from  the  "boys,"  and  the  * k reunion "  exercises  extended  far 
into  the  night. 

A  copy  of  an  interesting  letter  written  by  Lieutenant  Charles 
W.  W.  Dow,  Company  F,  to  his  father  and  family  at  Iowa 
City,  Iowa,  dated  at  Lake  Springs,  Mo.,  May  28th,  1863,  in 
reference  to  the  "moonlight  charge'1  near  the  town  of  Jackson, 
and  the  subsequent  pursuit  of  General  Marmaduke's  forces  to 
Chalk  Bluffs,  on  the  St.  Francis  river,  is  here  inserted. 

COPY  OF  A  LETTER  SENT  HOME. 

THIRD  DIVISION  ARMY  OF  THE  FRONTIER, 

CAMP  LAKE  SPRINGS,  May  28th.  1863. 
Dear  Mother  and  Father,  Brothers  and  Sisters  : 

Reading-  an  article  in  the  Missouri  Democrat  this  morning-  broug-ht 
me  to  a  consciousness  that  1  had  not  written  home  for  some  time.  It 
was  entitled  ••  A  Mother  Waiting- for  the  News."  It  broug-ht  forcibly  to 
my  mind  that  I  oug-ht  immediately  to  write  home,  which  I  proceed  to 
do. 

My  health  is  good  ;  the  health  of  the  company  and  regiment  is  also 
very  good.  Our  company  has  but  one  man  in  hospital,  and  he  is  get 
ting  well  fast.  Dick  Hoxie  left  here  for  home  on  furlough  on  the  16th. 
and  I  suppose  has  arrived  safe.  He  will  tell  you  all  the  news  of  the 
camp,  which  is  scanty. 

As  for  some  little  account  of  our  last  scout.  I  will  try  and  give  at 
least  what  I  know  if  nothing  more. 

On  the  21st  day  of  April.  1863.  we  were  lying  in  camp  at  Lake 
Springs.  Dent  county,  Missouri,  recruiting  our  horses  and  enjoying  a 
soldier's  life  generally,  when  orders  were  received  to  be  ready  to  march 
at  12  M..  without  wagons  or  camp  equipage,  with  five  days1  rations. 


Major  J.  D.  JENKS,  Field  and  Staff. 
Surgeon  M.  B    COCHKAN 


W.  W    Dow,  Lieut.  Co.  F. 
t'ol.  DANIEL  ANDERSON. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  113 

All  prepared  themselves  for  the  march,  for  inactivity  is  surely  the  bane 
of  a  volunteer  soldier's  life. 

At  about  half-past  three  p.  M.  we  were  in  line  ready  for  the  march. 
The  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  First  Battalion  of  the  First  Missouri  Cav 
alry,  and  the  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry,  joined  us  on  the  road,  being1  all 
at  this  camp,  and  we  started  we  knew  not  where.  Dame  rumor  said 
Marmaduke  with  7,000  men  were  marching-  on  Pilot  Knob,  which  we 
were  to  reinforce,  (which  rumor  after  arriving  at  the  Knob  proved 
true.)  We  camped  the  night  of  the  21st  half  a  mile  from  a  little  town 
called  Salem,  fifteen  miles  from  Lake  Springs.  We  were  here  joined 
by  all  of  the  cavalry  of  the  Second  Division  and  one  battery  of  six 
pieces  light  artillery,  making  our  force  about  2, 100  cavalry  and  six 
guns.  About  three  p.  M.  on  the  23d  we  arrived  at  Pilot  Knob,  distance 
from  our  camp  eighty-seven  miles,  where  we  found  the  forces  there 
expecting  an  assault  hourly. 

We  encamped,  or  rather  laid  out,  being  placed  out  half  a  mile  on  a 
main  road  leading  to  Buford  from  Lesterville,  southwest  from  the  Knob. 
where  we  remained.  We  were  under  the  command  of  General  Vande- 
ver,  Major  Caldwell  commanding  our  regiment,  consisting  of  480  men 
all  told.  We  found  about  two  regiments  of  infantry,  and  between  two 
and  three  regiments  of  cavalry,  with  about  twelve  pieces  cannon.  We 
were  soon  joined  by  reinforcements  from  St.  Louis  with  artillery. 

Report  says  the  forces  of  Marmaduke  and  Price  have  formed  a  junc 
tion  and  are  advancing  with  from  18.000  to  24,000  men,  and  God  knows 
how  many  more.  • '  Oh,  rumor,  what  a  liar  !  " 

The  whole  command  keep  constantly  saddled,  with  bridles  on  the 
horses'1  necks,  and  three  days'  rations  in  the  saddle-bags. 

24th.  Communication  by  telegraph  said  to  be  cut  off  from  St.  Louis, 
which  makes  matters  worse  than  ever. 

General  McNeil  started  from  Bloomfield  to  reinforce  us,  but  was 
driven  back  by  Marmaduke,  and  he  has  fallen  back  to  Cape  Girardeau. 
to  which  place  General  Marmaduke  (finding  us  at  Pilot  Knob  so  well 
prepared)  started  for  with  the  intention  of  taking  that  place  before 
reinforcements  could  arrive. 

25th.  But  we  were  soon  on  his  heels,  hearing  from  our  scouts  of  his 
movements.  He  arrived  there  and  sent  in  a  flag  of  truce  for  the  town 
to  surrender.  McNeil  refused  of  course,  when  the  enemy  commenced 
shelling  the  town  and  mud  forts  there.  They  held  out.  and  Marma 
duke,  knowing  that  he  had  but  little  time  to  spare,  for  Vandever,  with 
the  flower  of  the  cavalry  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier,  who  have  never 

been  whipped,  are  already  found  gnawing  at  his  rear. 
15 


1 14  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

After  a  few  ineffectual  attempts  to  take  the  Cape,  and  being  repulsed 
at  every  point,  and  by  greatly  inferior  numbers,  he  began  to  retreat 
towards  Bloomfield,  making  his  way  south,  leaving  a  few  men  before 
the  Cape  to  hide  his  movements  and  so  keep  McNeil  from  forming  a 
junction  with  Vandever.  We  heard  their  cannonading  and  pushed  on  to 
give  the  beseiged  help. 

26th.  About  ten  p.  M.  our  forces  came  upon  the  main  body  of  the 
enemy  in  full  retreat  toward  Bloomfield  ;  the  enemy,  not  knowing  of  our 
close  proximity,  camped  at  Jackson,  leaving  one  regiment  about  two 
miles  out  for  a  strong  picket  guard.  About  half-past  eleven  o'clock  p. 
M.,  a  clear,  moonlight  night,  Company  F.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  was 
ordered  to  prepare  to  make  a  charge  on  this  outpost  regiment  with 
sabers.  Immediately  all  our  forage  tied  on  behind  us  was  cut  loose, 
sabers  were  drawn,  and  with  scabbards  under  our  legs  to  prevent  rat 
tling  or  any  noise,  the  company  formed  in  a  column  of  fours  and  moved 
silently  forward  going  into  the  timber  on  a  slight  road.  The  moon 
shone  beautifully.  What  my  thoughts  were  at  that  time  is  my  biz  ;  not 
a  thought  of  danger  or  fear  crossed  my  mind.  In  the  meantime  a  small 
howitzer  was  wheeled  up  to  the  front  of  our  column  to  fire  the  first  shot, 
loaded  almost  to  the  muzzle  with  small  shot,  etc.  Our  mode  of  attack 
was.  eight  men  on  the  right  were  to  fire  their  carbines  on  the  enemy 
(after  the  howitzer),  at  the  same  time  the  balance  were  to  charge  and 
cut  down  all  who  opposed.  Soon  we  were  within  a  short  distance  of 
where  they  had  lain  down.  We  had  avoided  some  and  captured  others 
of  their  pickets,  thus  preventing  an  alarm.  We  could  hear  them  talk 
ing,  we  were  so  close.  One  cuss  says.  •  •  I  say  Bill,  ain't  this  a  nice 
place  to  sleep?"  Another,  playing  cards,  says,  "My  trick,  by  God.11 
Another,  "Whoa.  God  damn  you,1'  to  his  horse.  The  brush  was  very 
thick  between  us  and  them,  and  I  wondered  not  a  little  how  we  could 
get  through.  My  wonder  ceased  by  hearing  the  order  from  Lieutenant 
Hursh,  (who  commanded  the  company  and  the  eight  men  in  front,  while 
I  had  command  of  the  reserve  for  charging. )  to  wheel  to  the  right  and 
fire.  Boom!  went  the  little  brass  devil.  Bang!  bang!  bang!  went  the 
carbines.  "Charge!11  and  we  were  upon  them.  And  now  commenced 
a  scene  it  is  impossible  to  describe.  Every  man  there  was  a  man.  The 
vebs  fired  one  volley,  scattering  like  chaff,  without  arms,  hats,  shoes, 
coats,  horses,  saddles  ;  nothing  was  taken  by  them.  The  stampede  was 
in  them,  and  those  not  cut  down  or  shot  scattered,  leaving  everything, 
making  for  the  town  of  Jackson  where  Marmaduke  rested.  Their  loss 
was  very  great,  though  unknown  to  us. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  115 

Every  man  (53)  was  ordered  to  bring  out  a  horse  and  every  one  did, 
being  53  in  all ;  the  balance  we  cut  loose,  pricking  them  with  our  sabers 
to  scatter  them,  as  we  could  not  take  them  along. 

The  rally  was  sounded  and  we  left  for  the  main  road  where  the  main 
column  awaited  us. 

All  of  our  men  that  wanted  exchanged  their  bad  horses  for  good; 
mine  was  good  enough. 

Thus  we  had  made  one  of  the  most  brilliant  charges,  and  that  at 
midnight,  by  moonlight,  made  during  the  war  up  to  that  date. 

We  stood  to  horse  the  balance  of  that  night,  it  beginning  to  rain  at 
two  o'clock  A.  M.  next  morning,  when  we  moved  on  after  the  enemy. 

Two  miles  from  where  we  made  the  charge  our  advance  came  upon 
the  enemy's  rear  who  were  just  leaving  Jackson.  When  our  guns  com 
menced  shelling  them  they  would  not  stand,  but  moved  off  rapid  ly 
towards  Bloomfield. 

In  the  meantime  dispatches  were  sent  to  General  McNeil  to  hasten  to 
White  Water  bridge  to  intercept  their  retreat,  thus  bringing  them  be 
tween  us  and  them,  when  they  would  have  to  surrender  at  least  their 
guns,  eleven  in  number. 

McNeil  did  not  get  up  in  time.  Marmaduke  had  crossed  with  his 
command,  leaving  one  regiment  behind  to  oppose  our  crossing  and  keep 
us  in  check  while  they  pushed  on.  The  road  lay  through  a  large  cypress 
swamp,  mud  from  six  to  twenty  inches  deep.  How  they  got  over  the 
swamp  the  "deil  knows."  After  crossing  they  commenced  to  cut  up 
the  bridge.  Finding  us  so  close  they  turned  their  guns  on  the  bridge 
in  order  to  blow  it  to  pieces. 

[n  the  meantime  part  of  a  regiment  charged  on  our  advanced  bat 
tery,  (before  crossing,)  but  were  repulsed. 

The  Third  Iowa  were  deployed  as  skirmishers.  The  enemy  suc 
ceeded  in  cutting  off  some  21  men  and  one  officer,  taking  them  pris 
oners,  and  retreated  over  the  bridge.  Our  guns  were  used  to  such  effect 
they  did  not  totally  destroy  the  bridge.  Pioneers  went  to  work  about  dusk 
and  had  the  bridge  in  crossing  order,  and  we  had  all  of  onr  force  joined 
by  McNeil's  one  hour  before  midnight;  all  over  by  ten  o'clock  next  day. 

On,  on  we  went,  night  and  day,  in  hot  pursuit,  skirmishing  constant 
ly,  taking  many  prisoners,  leaving  some  of  our  caissons  (or  ammuni 
tion  chests)  on  the  road,  taking  off  the  horses  and  putting  them  on  the 
guns,  making  eight  horses  to  each  gun  and  some  extra,  pushing  on  at 
redoubled  speed  until  we  got  to  the  Castor  river.  There  had  been  a 
bridge  across  the  Castor  a  few  miles  from  Bloomfield,  but  destroyed  by 
the  Johnnies. 


116  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

We  had  to  wait  until  a  bridge  could  be  made,  taking-  nearly  all  of 
one  night.  Crossed  our  artillery,  (by  the  way,  McNeil  had  brought  up 
two  regiments  of  infantry — First  Nebraska,  Thirty-Second  Iowa,  with 
Thirty-Seventh  Illinois — coming  on  as  fast  as  legs  could  take  them. ) 
The  cavalry  swam  the  river,  which  was  broad  and  deep,  and  all  moved 
on  to  Bloomfield,  where  the  enemy  had  prepared  for  us.  All  the  fences 
were  piled  up  in  squares,  trees  felled  around  the  town,  and  every  prepa 
ration  made  to:  to:  A  few  shells  and  grape  soon  sent  them  on  the  full 
retreat,  leaving  many  wounded  and  sick  in  town  in  our  hands.  But  we 
pushed  on,  fighting  continually  ;  they  making  for  the  St.  Francis  river, 
knowing  if  once  across  they  were  safe.  Our  brigade  of  cavalry  were 
continually  fighting  on  foot  with  our  carbines.  The  last  two  days  the 
enemy  have  kept  two  guns  at  work  on  our  advance,  but  without  much 
damage,  only  checking  us  until  the  infantry  can  come  up.  On  the  1st 
day  of  May  our  regiment,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  was  ordered  to  keep  the 
advance  part  of  us  on  foot  nearly  all  day.  with  our  horses  led  close  up. 
Heavy  and  sharp  was  the  skirmishing  between  us  and  the  rear  guard 
of  the  enemy,  but  without  much  loss  on  our  side.  We  had  just  returned 
to  horse  and  mounted  when  the  order  was  given  to  dismount,  to  fight 
on  foot.  Hardly  had  I  struck  the  ground  when  Major  Caldwell.  com 
manding  our  regiment,  galloped  back  along  the  road  yelling,  ••  Com 
pany  F  to  the  front.''  In  a  twinkling  I  was  in  my  saddle,  and  oft'  we 
went  at  a  run  to  the  front.  We  got  up  to  the  front  line  of  skirmishers, 
then  moved  along  more  cautiously  by  fours.  Suddenly  a  single  rifle 
shot  was  fired — Dismount  to  fight.  In  an  instant  bang!  bang!  went  two 
pieces  of  cannon,  opening  on  us  from  the  brush  not  over  two  hundred 
yards  off  with  canister  and  grape.  At  the  first  rifie  shot  I  struck  the 
ground,  sending  the  horses  to  the  rear,  run  out  my  platoon  to  the  right 
into  an  open  field,  and  soon  had  every  man  flat  on  their  faces,  while 
the  storm  of  iron  hail  rattled,  hissed  and  plowed  the  ground  around  us. 
Our  carbines  were  not  idle,  and  we  poured  in  volley  after  volley,  load 
ing  and  firing  as  we  lay.  How  long  was  this  to  last  ?  Soon  volleys  of 
musketry  or  riflery  poured  over  and  around  ^us  from  the  enemy's  left 
flank.  Where  was  our  support?  I  look  back  in  almost  despair  ;  one 
little  company  of  about  fifty  dismounted  cavalry  holding  out  against 
two  pieces  of  artillery  and  God  knows  how  much  infantry,  grape,  canis 
ters  and  rifle  balls.  We  were  ordered  to  fall  back ;  we  had  already 
fallen  belly ;  so  back  we  could  not  go.  for  we  would  have  been  cut  to 
pieces  had  we  attempted  it.  One  platoon  began  to  crawl  back.  I 
ordered  mine  to  lay.  for  I  had  already  heard  our  artillery  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  117 

yells  of  our  infants.  The  enemy  had  heard  the  same  and  commenced 
falling  back  and  was  soon  in  full  retreat,  and  again  our  company  was 
safe.  The  shells  soon  screamed  over  our  heads  from  our  battery,  hur 
rying  the  rebs  if  possible.  We  moved  slowly  back  to  our  horses  with 
but  one  man  wounded,  (Wm.  George, )  thanks  to  the  belly  operation. 
Now  we  were  relieved,  another  regiment  taking  our  place,  while  we 
rested. 

We  were  not  allowed  to  rest  long,  for  again  were  ordered  one-half 
the  regiment  to  dismount  for  foot  work.  We  moved  to  the  front  as 
skirmishers,  and  were  soon  under  heavy  fire  of  small  arms.  We  were 
this  time  supported  by  a  small  howitzer.  Heavy  was  their  fire  ;  equally 
brisk  was  ours.  They  would  make  a  stand  on  the  crest  of  every  hill, 
(and  it  was  a  very  rough  country  on  either  side  of  the  road,  which  was 
on  a  ridge, )  but  our  carbines  and  little  bulldog  always  drove  them.  It 
was  here  that  Sergeant  Hunter  was  shot  through  the  ankle  while  we 
were  contesting  a  hill. 

One  cuss  rode  out  of  the  rebel  lines  with  a  white  flag  or  rag  on  his 
ramrod,  but  in  the  other  a  double-barreled  shot-gun  at  an  advance  ;  the 

firing  did  not  cease  on  their  side  ;    but  you  can't  catch  the  First  Iowa 

i 
on  a  flag  of  truce  more  than  once,  especially  with  the  bearer  carrying 

a  shot-gun  and  the  enemy  continuing  their  fire.  We  knew  the  purpose, 
which  was  to  gain  time,  and  so  escape  with  their  guns.  But  no  sooner 
had  he  left  their  lines  than  the  bullets  whistled  round  him  like  hail. 
He  wheeled,  fired  both  barrels  of  his  gun  at  us,  and  vamosed. 

We  pushed  on,  passing  many  bodies,  sacks  of  corn  meal,  guns, 
sabers,  etc.,  etc.,  showing  how  hard  they  were  pushed.  We  got  one 
shot  in  with  our  bulldog  (howitzer) ,  and  knocked  an  ambulance  con 
taining  ammunition  for  their  guns  endways,  and  they  left  everything  in 
and  around  it. 

Night  was  approaching,  and  the  enemy's  advance  were  no  doubt  by 
this  time  crossing  the  St.  Francis  river,  where  they  had  on  their  way 
up  left  400  men  to  build  rafts  and  a  floating  bridge,  in  case  they  were 
unsuccessful  going  north,  for  safe  retreat. 

We  stood  to  horse  part  of  the  night,  and  the  balance  drawn  out  in 
line  of  skirmishers,  standing  picket  in  that  shape.  We  now  had  been 
without  rations  for  three  days,  except  a  little  coffee  and  what  we  could 
get  along  the  road,  and  you  can  imagine  how  much  we  got  after  the 
enemy  passing  over  the  road.  I  got  one  cracker  this  morning,  May  3d, 
and  a  little  piece  of  "sow  belly,11  (or  old  pork,)  and  a  spoonful  of  coft'ee 
and  sugar.  Grumbling  would  not  help  the  case,  so  we  did  not  growl 
it  inch. 


118  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

In  the  meantime  another  brigade  had  taken  the  front,  and  about  nine 
A.  M.  of  the  2d  of  May  we  mounted  and  moved  up  to  the  front  to  sup 
port  Cole's  battery  of  six  rifled  twelve  pounders.  We  there  learned 
that  the  enemy  had  most  of  his  men  and  all  of  his  guns  over  the  river. 
Soon  our  guns  were  got  into  position,  and  the  thundering  roar  of  twenty- 
three  pieces  of  artillery  drowned  almost  thought  itself.  We  were 
shelling  the  crossing  and  the  surrounding  timber.  My  God,  what  a 
roar  !  "Tis  inconceivable.  This  was  kept  up  for  nearly  an  hour,  when 
our  regiment  received  orders  to  proceed  back  to  Bloomington.  The 
enemy  had  escaped,  with  his  guns. 

Companies  F  and  G  were  ordered,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Hursh,  to  proceed  to  Clarkstown  and  hold  possession  of  the  plank  road 
leading  to  New  Madrid,  thirty-three  miles  distant.  We  did  so,  cross 
ing  a  "  deil"  of  a  cypress  swamp;  found  the  road  blockaded  and  so  had 
to  take  to  the  swamp.  We  entered  Clarkstown  about  six  p.  M.,  cap 
turing  a  few  prisoners.  Held  possession  until  the  rebs  got  so  thick 
around  us  it  was  folly  for  us,  only  about  sixty  men,  to  remain.  So 
about  twelve  A.  M.  on  the  4th  of  May  started  for  Bloomfield,  distance 
forty-three  miles,  getting  into  Bloomfield  at  nine  P.  M.  at  night,  raining 
hard  and  mud  knee  deep — thus  making  forty-three,  citizens  say  forty- 
eight  miles  in  nine  hours.  Beat  that  if  you  can,  Sixth  Iowa. 

We  learned  there  that  our  regiment  and  brigade  had  gone  to  Cape 
Girardeau.  We  marched  again  at  nine  A.  M.  of  the  5th  for  the  Cape. 
Ten  miles  out  met  two  dispatch  bearers  going  to  Clarkstown  for  us. 
saying  that  dispatches  had  been  sent  to  us  at  intervals  of  every  six 
hours  but  had  all  been  cut  off.  So  we  left  there  in  the  nick  of  time, 
for  twelve  hours  after  we  left  the  enemy  had  possession  of  the  town 
in  force.  Rations  had  been  left  us  along  the  road  ;  glad  were  we  to  get 
them,  for  we  had  depended  on  the  country  for  support.  J  can't  imagine 
why  we  were  sent  so  far  away  from  reinforcements,  forty-three  miles  in 
a  thickly  settled  rebel  position.  But  we  escaped  clear.  We  moved  on 
to  the  Cape  (Girardeau),  and  arrived  on  the  6th  ;  raining  heavily  ;  got 
in  on  the  heels  of  our  command,  and  joined  them  before  they  had  dis 
mounted. 

We  were  received  joyfully,  for  all  had  given  us  up  as  •  •  gobbled  "  by 
the  rebs.  Drew  small  tents,  rations,  etc.,  and  laid  up  to  recuperate 
ourselves  and  horses — Lieutenant  Hursh.  Acting  Brigade  Adjutant. 
Lieutenant  Dow  commanding  Company  F.  which  he  did  until  we  got 
back  to  Camp  Lake  Springs. 

On  the  8th  of  May  started  on  the  back  track  for  Pilot  Knob;  the  in 
fantry  going  back  by  steamboat  and  cars  from  whence  they  came. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  119 

On  the  10th  arrived  at  the  Knob,  expecting1  to  find  our  trains  and 
camp  there ;  did  not,  and  on  the  12th  started  for  Lake  Springs,  travel 
ing-  slowly  ;  arrived,  and  are  now  enjoying-  ourselves  with  plenty  of 
grub  for  self  and  horses. 

A  letter  was  received  to-day  from  Cape  Girardeau,  where  Sergeant 
Hunter  and  William  George  were  left,  stating  that  Sergeant  Hunter 
had  died  on  the  25th  of  May,  after  having  his  leg  amputated  just  below 
the  knee.  Sad  fate  of  a  good  soldier.  All  honor  for  the  brave  soldier 
who  died  for  the  Union.  Wm.  George  is  doing  well.  Later — we  have 
had  two  twelve  pound  howitzers  and  expect  two  more  attached  to  our 
regiment.  CHAS.  W.  W.  DOW, 

First  Lieutenant  Company  F. 

During  our  absence  Companies  B  and  M,  from  Forsyth, 
rejoined  the  regiment.  John  Kelly,  private  Company  B,  was 
drowned  in  White  river  at  Forsyth,  March  2d,  while  assisting 
in  the  crossing  of  a  forage  train. 

May  21st.  A  grand  reception  was  tendered  Governor  Soli- 
man,  of  Wisconsin,  by  the  Twentieth  Wisconsin  Infantry  and 
Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  upon  the  occasion  of  the  Governor's 
visit  to  them.  All  officers  of  the  command  were  invited.  A 
sumptuous  dinner  was  prepared,  speeches  made,  and  toasts 
drank.  It  was  a  very  pleasant  and  enjoyable  occasion.  In  the 
evening  a  grand  ball  was  given  in  honor  of  the  distinguished 
guest.  A  gleam  of  sunshine  in  our  army  life. 

About  this  time  Assistant  Surgeon  Allen,  his  resignation 
having  been  accepted,  left  us  to  join  his  regiment.  (Thirtieth 
Infantry,)  as  Surgeon  of  that  regiment. 

May  27th.  Doctor  John  A.  Ladd  reported  as  Assistant  Sur 
geon  of  the  regiment,  promoted  from  Hospital  Steward  of  the 
Twenty-Sixth  Iowa  Infantry. 

May  29th.  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  was  ordered  by  Ma 
jor  General  Schofield  to  report  at  Rolla  as  member  of  Board  of 
Examining  Surgeons. 

May  31st.  A.  J.  Kintz,  private  Company  G,  committed 
suicide  by  shooting  himself  through  the  head. 

June  3d.     Major  General  Herron,  with  all  the  infantry  and 


120  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

artillery  of  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions,  are  ordered  to 
Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  by  way  of  St.  Louis.  Surgeon  Coch- 
ran  accompanies  the  command  as  Medical  Director. 

June  5th.  To-day  the  regiment  has  been  transferred  to  the 
Second  Brigade,  First  Cavalry  Division — Colonel  John  M.  Glo 
ver,  Third  Missouri  Cavalry,  commanding  brigade,  and  Briga 
dier  General  J.  W.  Davidson  commanding  division — and  or 
dered  to  report  immediately  at  Pilot  Knob.  On  account  of 
severe  rain  storms  no  movement  was  made  until  the  llth.  In 
the  meantime  the  sick  were  transferred  to  general  hospital  at 
Rolla.  New  ambulances  were  obtained,  and  preparations  made 
for  another  campaign* 

During  our  encampment  at  Lake  Springs  all  supplies  were 
obtained  from  Rolla,  a  small  town  situated  about  thirteen  miles 
north  from  our  camp  at  Lake  Springs,  on  one  of  the  extensive 
plateaus  of  the  Ozark  range  of  mountains  in  Phelps  county.  It 
was  the  terminus  of  the  Southwestern  branch  of  the  Pacific 
railroad.  It  had  become  an  important  depot  of  supplies  for  the 
army  in  that  vicinity,  and  a  general  hospital  had  been  located 
there. 

The  following  editorial  by  Chas.  E.  Moss,  late  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  regiment,  then  editor  of  the  Weekly  Missourian, 
a  newspaper  published  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  under  date 
of  July  llth,  is  here  inserted  to  show  the  character  and  stand 
ing  of  the  regiment  at  that  time. 

FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

This  crack  regiment  is  on  duty  in  General  Davidson's  division.  It 
has  recruited  up  its  horses,  and  is  admitted  on  all  hands  to  be  the  best 
mounted  and  most  perfectly  drilled  regiment  of  cavalry  in  the  west.  It 
has  been  in  service  some  two  years,  and  numbers  1,155  rank  and  file, 
all  good,  sound,  healthy,  intelligent  men.  At  a  review  of  the  division, 
about  a  week  since.  Major  General  Schofield  pronounced  it  the  most 
perfect  in  drill,  equipments,  and  soldierly  carriage,  of  any  cavalry  regi 
ment  in  his  command.  He  also  said  that  it  had  the  best  horses  and 
best  riders  he  had  seen  in  service. 

Compliments  from  such  a  source  must  be  very  gratifying  to  the  boys. 


Lieut.  CHARLES  DUBOIS. 
Capt.  J.  M.  RUSSELL. 


JOHN  FITZSIMONS,  Sergt.,  Co.  K. 
W.  W.  CARPENTER,  Lieut.  Co.  K. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  121 

for  several  of  General  Schofield's  favorite  officers  had  their  regiments 
present  on  that  occasion,  and  such  an  opinion  would  have  been  pro 
nounced  unmerited.  We  must  be  pardoned  for  indulging  in  a  little 
pleasure  over  the  success  of  a  regiment  raised  and  brought  into  the 
field  through  our  labor,  and  for  whose  efficiency  in  soldierly  accomplish 
ments  and  drill  we  labored  faithfully  and  zealously  more  than  one  year. 
We  confess  our  gratification  almost  as  great  at  the  success  of  these 
boys  as  theirs  can  be. 

By  the  way,  we  learn  that  Lieutenant  T.  A.  Bereman  has  been  ap 
pointed  Captain  of  Company  E,  and  is  now  in  command  of  that  compa 
ny.  He  is  a  bold,  hard-working,  intelligent,  brave,  fighting  officer, 
and  we  rejoice  at  his  promotion. 

They  have  now  one  of  the  finest  bands,  under  the  leadership  of  A.  G. 
Cunningham,  in  the  service.  It  is  said  to  surpass  their  old  band,  and 
this  is  saying  a  good  deal.  Al.  knows  how  to  discourse  fine  music,  and 
we  predict  it  will  surpass  any  band  in  the  army.  The  instruments  were 
purchased  by  subscription  from  the  men.  and  the  boys  support  it  by 
voluntary  contributions.  The  First  Iowa  Cavalry  can  beat  the  world  in 
liberality.  They  never  half  do  their  work. 

The  division,  we  are  informed,  has  already  moved  towards  the  ene 
my,  but  in  what  direction  is  not  for  us  to  say.  The  people  may  rely 
upon  having  a  good  report  from  the  brave  fellows. 

June  llth.  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop,  being  sick  and  dis 
abled,  was  ordered  to  report  at  Pilot  Knob  by  the  way  of  St. 
Louis.  He  was  accompanied  by  Colonel  Gower  and  seven  sick 
men,  to  be  transferred  to  hospitals  nearest  their  homes.  On  ar 
riving  at  St.  Louis,  the  men  were  sent  to  their  places  of  des 
tination,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  granted  leave  of  ab 
sence  on  account  of  illness  ;  from  which  he  did  not  return 
until  the  regiment  reached  Bloomfield,  Missouri,  on  the  march 
to  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 

If  one  will  examine  the  maps  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas, 
and  refer  to  the  preceding  pages,  it  will  be  seen  that  from  the 
date  we  left  Clinton  in  1862  to  the  present  time,  our  long  and 
weary  marches,  our  scouting  by  night  and  by  day.  in  sunshine, 
mud  and  storms,  our  encounters,  skirmishes  and  battles  with 
the  enemy,  have  been  almost  exclusively  among  the  hills  and 
16 


1  22  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

valleys,  the  gorges  and  fastnesses  of  the  Ozark  range  of  moun 
tains,  and  with  but  few  exceptions  with  lawless  bands  of  guer 
illas  and  desperadoes,  in  the  guise  of  t4  Confederate  "  soldiers, 
under  the  patronage  of  the  so-called  Confederate  Government. 

The  line  of  march  now  to  be  taken  up  lies  through  the  low, 
marshy  districts  of  south-eastern  Missouri  and  eastern  Arkansas, 
where  it  will  be  impossible  to  march  without  the  use  of  pontoon 
bridges  and  the  construction  of  miles  of  k  c  corduroy ''  roads. 

The  regiment,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ander 
son,  Assistant  Surgeon  Ladd  in  charge  of  the  hospital  depart 
ment,  with  the  Eighth  Missouri  Cavalry,  took  up  the  line  of 
march  on  the  same  day  (llth),  and  arrived  at  Pilot  Knob  on 
the  15th,  having  marched  ninety  miles.  On  the  20th  it  encamped 
at  Arcadia,  about  two  miles  distant  from  Pilot  Knob.  Here 
another  cutting  down  of  transportation  took  place.  All  the 
Sibley  and  wall  tents  were  turned  over,  and  officers  and  men 
were  for  the  first  time  introduced  to  the  •"•  pup  tents,'-'  (small 
shelter  tents. )  Everything  which  could  be  dispensed  with 
was  stored,  and  all  necessary  preparations  made  for  another 
campaign.  This  cavalry  force  was  preparing  to  join  Major 
General  Fred  Steele's  forces,  then  at  Helena  and  vicinity,  in  the 
campaign  against  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.  Everything  being 
in  readiness  the  army  marched  July  1st  on  the  road  to  Fred 
ericktown.  On  arriving  at  Fredericktown  the  line  of  march 
was  changed  to  a  southerly  direction,  marching  on  a  "neigh 
borhood"  road  leading  from  Fredericktown  to  Greenville,  the 
comity  seat  of  Wayne  county.  Crossing  Castor  creek  and  the 
southern  portion  of  Lake  Micota.  or  Black  Mingo  swamp,  (one 
outlet  of  which  was  passed  on  a  pontoon  bridge, )  it  arrived  at 
Bloomfield  on  July  llth,  having  inarched  a  distance  of  more 
than  one  hundred  miles. 

The  army  remained  here  until  the  19th,  throwing  up  earth 
works  to  protect  the  town  from  future  attacks,  procuring  ra 
tions,  reorganizing  trains,  and  making  other  necessary  prepara 
tions  for  the  expedition. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

On  the  14th  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  reported  for  duty 
from  sick  leave  of  absence,  and  on  the  18th  was  ordered  by 
Brigadier  General  Davidson  to  take  charge  of  the  General  Field 
Hospital  which  was  being  established  at  this  place. 

On  the  17th  the  following  complimentary  order  was  issued 
by  General  Davidson  : 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  MISSOURI, 

BLOOMFIELD,  July  17th,  1868. 
OENERAL  ORDER  No.  24. 

The  General  commanding-  desires  to  express  the  gratification  he  feels 
in  observing-  the  visible  marks  of  improvement  in  the  regiments  of  the 
division.  Prompt  from  long-  habit  to  notice  any  violation  of  that  sub 
ordination  which  he  thinks  essential  to  success,  he  is  none  the  less 
ready  to  acknowledge  good  soldiership  when  he  sees  it. 

He  thanks  you.  officers  and  men,  for  your  obedience  and  support. 

Comrades  !  we  begin  to  understand  each  other.  We  can  now  press 
forward  I  hope  with  mutual  confidence. 

Let  no  acts  of  ours  tarnish  the  arms  of  the  Republic. 

By  order  of  Brigadier  General  Davidson. 

Signed  for  YATUM.  Lieut,  and  A.  A.  A.  (ten  I. 

Official :     R.  L.  FREEMAN.  A.  A.  A.  G. 

Publish  this  order  at  the  head  of  your  company  this  evening  at 
tattoo. 

Official  :       J.  A.  DONNELL,  Lieut,  and  Adjt.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 

July  19th.  Pliny  Wilcox,  private  Company  C,  died  this 
morning,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors.  All  the  sick  of 
the  command,  numbering  nearly  250,  having  been  previously 
ordered  to  the  General  Field  Hospital,  the  army  marched  at 
seven  o'clock  this  morning,  and  crossed  the  St.  Francis  river 
on  a  pontoon  bridge  at  Chalk  Bluff's  on  the  21st.  Marching  on 
the  Crowley  Ridge  road,  it  passed  through  Gainesville,  the 
county  seat  of  Greene  county,  Jonesboro,  the  count v  seat 
of  Craighead  county,  and  on  the  27th  camped  near  the  St. 
Francis  river,  three  miles  distant  from  a  small  town  called 
Wittsburg,  situated  in  St.  Francis  county,  having  marched  one 
hundred  and  forty-five  miles  since  leaving  Bloomtield.  The 
army  remained  here  in  camp  until  the  31st,  Crowley 's  Ridge 


1  24  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

is  a  ridge  of  land  extending  in  a  nearly  north  and  south  direc 
tion,  from  Greene  county  on  the  north  to  about  four  miles  west 
of  Helena  in  Phillips  county  on  the  south,  and  from  a  kC  divide" 
between  the  waters  of  the  St.  Francis  and  White  rivers.  It  is 
from  a  half-mile  to  six  or  more  miles  in  breadth.  On  either 
side  of  this  ridge  the  land  in  many  places  is  low  and  marshy 
and  unfit  for  cultivation.  A  number  of  springs  are  found  on 
this  ridge,  but  the  water  in  the  summer  season  is  regarded  by 
the  inhabitants  as  unhealthy.  Its  elevation  above  the  low 
lands  on  either  side  is  from  eight  to  ten  feet,  except  in  some 
places  where  it  rises  into  small  broken  hills.  Indications  of  the 
existence  of  a  prehistoric  race  are  found  about  the  ridge  in 
many  places  in  the  form  of  embankments,  old  fortifications, 
sun-dried  clay  mixed  with  stems  and  leaves  of  cane,  human 
bones,  pottery,  arrow-heads,  stone  axes,  etc.  The  bottom  of  a 
small  lake  in  Crittenden  county  is  said  to  be  paved  with  brick, 
the  work  of  an  unknown  people.  Why  the  name  "Crowley" 
is  given  to  this  ridge  is  not  known  to  the  writer. 

While  in  camp  near  Jonesboro,  Captain  J.  I).  Jenks,  Com 
pany  I),  and  Lieutenant  Jacob  Hursh,  Company  F,  with  fifty 
men  from  Companies  I).  E  and  F,  were  sent  with  dispatches  to 
Helena.  This  was  a  most  daring  undertaking.  They,  how 
ever,  passed  through  a  section  of  country  held  by  the1  enemy 
for  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles  without  loss  or  accident  on 
their  part.  On  one  occasion  Captain  Jenks  captured  General 
Walker's  outposts,  and  tied  the  men  to  trees  on  the  side  of  the 
road,  then  passed  the  rebel  camp  and  through  their  pickets  on 
the  other  side  without  molestation.  It  was  certainly  a  most 
gallant  affair,  displaying  courage  and  prudence  in  a  remarkable 
degree,  and  was  duly  reeogni/ed  by  the  commanding  General 
in  the  following  complimentary  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS   DAVIDSON'S  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  MISSOURI. 
('AMP  AT  WITTSBUR<T.  ARK.,  July  27th.  1863. 
GENERAL  ORDER  No.  2X. 

The   General   commanding  this   division  desires  to  thank  in  general 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  125 

orders  Captain  James   D.  Jenks,   of  the   First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  the 
fifty  brave  men  of  that  regiment  under  his  command. 

Starting-  at  a  point  one  hundred  miles  from  Helena,  they  marched 
through  a  country  held  by  the  enemy  and  infested  by  guerillas,  dashing 
upon  his  outposts  whenever  he  found  them  ;  crossing  the  L'Anguille 
river  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  pickets  ;  taking  six  prisoners  on  his 
road  ;  wounding  one  officer  and  one  private,  who  fell  into  our  hands  : 
destroying  his  dispatches  and  communicating  their  contents  to  the 
commander  at  Helena,  without  losing  an  item. 

His  whole  conduct  presents  an  example  of  brilliant  cavalry  daring 
worthy  of  study  and  imitation  of  every  officer  in  this  command. 

By  order  of  Brigadier  General  Davidson. 

Signed,  A.  S.  MONTGOMERY.    Lieut,  and  A.  A.  A.  G. 

N.  B. — Have  this  read  at  the  head  of  your  squadron  this  evening  at 
retreat. 

A  supply  of  rations  from  Helena  having  been  received,  the 
inarch  was  continued  in  a  southerly  direction  toward  Helena, 
crossing  the  L'Anguille  river  near  Marianna.  August  6th. 
When  within  about  thirty  miles  from  Helena,  the  direction  of 
the  march  was  changed  toward  the  west,  and  on  the  9th  the 
command  camped  on  White  river,  near  Clarendon,  Arkansas. 
The  forces  under  Major  General  Steele  were  concentrated  at 
this  place  preparatory  to  the  advance  upon  General  Price's 
forces  in  and  around  Little  Rock. 

On  the  13th,  Captains  McQueen,  Company  A,  and  Jones. 
Company  C,  with  a  detachment  of  400  men  of  the  regiment,  em 
barked  on  a  gunboat  and  barges,  with  orders  to  proceed  down 
White  river,  effect  a  landing  on  the  west  side,  and  make  a  re- 
cormoissance  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  position  of  the 
enemy.  A  landing  was  effected  at  Aberdeen,  in  the  presence 
of  a  force  of  rebel  pickets.  After  the  landing  of  the  detach 
ment  was  effected,  the  gunboat  came  to  anchor  in  the  river  for 
a  cover  should  it  be  necessary  to  retreat.  The  detachment 
then  made  a  hasty  march  into  the  country  toward  the  west, 
forcing  the  rebel  picket  to  retreat.  They  then  marched  up  the 
river  to  DuvalPs  Bluffs,  a  distance  of  fifty-five  miles.  From 
that  place  they  marched  in  a  westerly  direction  to  a  point  near 


126  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Brownsville,  at  which  place  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy 
was  in  camp  on  Bayou  Metoe,  a  branch  of  the  Arkansas  river, 
about  ten  miles  distant  east  from  Brownsville.  Countermarch 
ing,  the  detachment  discovered  a  greatly  superior  force  of  the 
enemy  upon  a  prairie.  Our  forces  were  marching  in  the  tim 
ber  on  the  border  of  the  prairie,  thus  preventing  our  presence 
being  known  to  them.  But  the  prairie  ikhad  to  be  crossed,11 
a  most  impetuous  charge  was  made,  taking  the  enemy  com 
pletely  by  surprise,  and  a  running  fight  of  five  miles  ensued, 
the  enemy  making  a  rapid  retreat.  After  which  the  detach 
ment  arrived  at  Aberdeen  and  re-embarked  on  the  boat  and 
barges,  and  reached  Clarendon  on  the  evening  of  the  15th. 

On  the  18th  the  regiment  with  the  brigade  and  division 
crossed  White  river  at  Clarendon  by  ferry,  and  marched  in  the 
direction  of  Brownsville.  On  the  22d  it  camped  at  Dead  Man's 
Lake.  On  the  Mth  it  was  at  Two  Prairie  bayou,  and  on  the 
25th  it  was  skirmishing  with  General  Marmaduke's  cavalry  up 
to  Brownsville,  driving  them  from  that  place  to  their  entrench 
ments  at  Bayou  Metoe.  Brownsville,  the  county  seat  of  Prairie 
county,  is  a  small  town  situated  on  a  broad,  flat  and  extensive1 
prairie,  about  thirty  miles  distant  in  an  easterly  direction  from 
Little  Rock.  The  division  camped  near  Brownsville.  While 
near  this  place,  at  the  request  of  General  Davidson,  Lieutenant 
Barnes,  Company  K,  with  twenty  of  his  men,  performed  a 
daring  exploit  in  the  capture  of  a  spy.  Information  had  been 
received  that  a  spy  was  at  his  home  within  the  rebel  lines,  and 
that  a  regiment  of  the  enemy  was  in  camp  near  his  house. 
Lieutenant  Barnes  and  his  party  reached  the  house  at  daylight. 
The  man  was  taken  prisoner,  and  the  party  returned  to  camp 
without  accident.  Lieutenant  Barnes  and  his  ^bovs"  received 
the  thanks  of  the  General  for  their  successful  and  daring  under 
taking.  During  all  this  time  the  regiment  was  continuously  on 
picket  and  outpost  duty,  making  reconnoissances,  etc.  On  the 
27th  was  fought  the  battle  of  Bayou  Metoe,  in  which  the  regi 
ment  took  a  very  prominent  part,  driving  the  enemy  across  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  127 

bayou  and  making  a  dashing  charge  to  save  the  only  bridge 
across  that  deep  and  miry  stream  from  destruction.  The  charge 
was  led  by  Colonel  Anderson,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  artillery 
and  infantry  upon  the  other  side  of  the  bayou.  As  the  enemy 
had  made  preparations  for  the  destruction  of  the  bridge  in  case 
of  necessity,  the  material  was  fired  by  them,  the  bridge  burned, 
and  the  charge  of  the  regiment  into  the  very  jaws  of  those  bat 
teries  was  of  no  avail.  In  this  charge  Colonel  Anderson  had 
his  horse  shot  under  him,  and  the  regiment  lost  one  killed  and 
thirty-six  wounded,  one  mortally,  as  follows  :  Hiram  Leland, 
Company  A,  killed  ;  Harvey  Wing,  Company  E,  mortally 
wounded  ;  C.  U.  Martin,  Company  A.  and  R.  E.  Granger, 
Company  K,  severely  wounded  and  missing  ;  Lieutenant  R.  M. 
Reynolds,  A.  Vanaerman,  Company  A,  Orrin  B.  Crane  and  8. 
M.  Scott,  Company  B,  Abraham  Stuttsman,  John  Simmons. 
Company  C,  James  M.  Russell,  Company  K,  N.  W.  Welliver, 
Company  L,  and  W.  ().  Gulick,  Company  M,  severely  wound 
ed  ;  A.  J.  Wilson,  Company  A,  Wellington  Allen,  George  H. 
Carney,  E.  J.  Smith,  Company  B,  S.  Chapman.  J.  Boltz.  S. 
B.  Walch  and  W.  O.  P.  Keever,  Company  C,  C.  Canterbury.' 
R.  Walker,  I.  N.  Hall  and  J.  Wiliford.  Company  E,  Charles 
Dubois  and  E.  Harmon,  Company  K,  and  James  Decker,  Com 
pany  M,  slightly  wounded.  The  troops  were  now  withdrawn 
to  Brownsville. 

Reconnoissances  were  made  in  various  directions  to  ascertain 
the  best  route  to  Little  Rock.  The  road  leading  by  Shallow 
Ford  and  Ashley's  Mill  was  selected.  The  movement  began  on 
September  6th  and  ended  on  the  10th  with  our  army  in  full 
possession  of  Little  Rock,  and  the  rebel  army  in  an  inglorious 
retreat  to  a  more  congenial  place  in  k4  Dixie.1' 

On  the  6th  the  army  marched  in  a  westerly  direction,  on 
the  road  to  Little  Rock,  and  on  the  9th  camped  about  one  mile 
north  of  the  Arkansas  river,  and  ten  miles  east  from  the  city. 
On  the  10th  the  march  was  continued,  and  the  entire  cavalry 


128  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

force  was  actively  engaged   in   skirmishing,   making   reeonnois- 
sances,  etc. 

Daring  the  night  of  the  9th  and  the  morning  of  the  10th, 
General  Davidson  had  prepared  a  place  for  crossing  the  river, 
and  laid  a  pontoon  bridge  for  that  purpose  near  Ashley's  Mill, 
about  eight  miles  distant  below  "Little  Rock.  Company  K, 
Lieutenant  Barnes  in  command,  was  ordered  in  the  early  morn 
ing  on  an  old  road  leading  to  the  right  of  the  army.  They 
reached  the  river  about  two  miles  above  the  place  where  the 
pontoon  bridge  had  been  laid,  then  following  a  road  leading- 
down  the  river  to  the  bridge,  they  arrived  at  that  place  a  short 
time  in  advance  of  the  cavalry  division.  On  its  arrival  Ritter's 
brigade  with  Clarkson's  battery  was  ordered  to  Buck's  Ford,  a 
distance  of  about  four  miles  down  the  river,  then  in  possession 
of  the  enemy,  to  make  a  demonstration  and  engage  their  atten 
tion  while  the  crossing  was  being  accomplished  at  this  place. 
The  regiment  then  taking  the  advance,  Company  K  being  the 
advance  guard,  crossed  the  river  on  the  pontoon  bridge  ;  the 
Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry  crossing  the  river  by  fording  about  the 
same  time,  immediately  above  the  bridge. 

Prior  to  this  time,  when  the  construction  of  the  bridge  was 
nearly  finished,  it  was  discovered  by  the  enemy,  and  a  battery 
from  the  timber  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  opened  tire 
upon  it,  but  was  soon  silenced  by  the  Eleventh  Ohio  Battery, 
which  had  been  previously  placed  in  position. 

Immediately  upon  the  completion  of  the  bridge,  the  Fortieth 
Iowa  and  Twenty-seventh  Wisconsin  Infantry  Regiments,  from 
Colonel  Fugleman's  brigade,  were  ordered  to  cross  the  bridge, 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  possession  of  the  woods  in  which  the 
enemy's  battery  had  been  concealed.  After  the  cavalry  clivis- . 
ion  had  crossed,  the  infantry  regiments  were  recalled,  and  the 
Fortieth  Iowa  left  to  guard  the  bridge. 

On  reaching  the  south  bank  of  the  river  the  Second  Brigade 
was  placed  in  advance,  and  the  regiment  ordered  to  the  front  as 
skirmishers.  During  the  entire  tight  it  was  in  the  extreme 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  129 

front,  sometimes  fighting  dismounted,  at  other  times  charging 
with  drawn  sabers.  At  one  time  during  the  day  they  recap 
tured  two  howitzers  which  had  been  captured  from  the  Tenth 
Illinois  Cavalry.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  slight  when  its 
exposed  position  during  the  day  is  taken  into  consideration — 
one  being  killed,  Charles  T.  Magill,  Company  D,  and  four 
wounded.  Major  J.  W.  Caldwell,  Anglos  P.  Sala,  Company  A, 
and  A.  J.  Hendrickson  and  E.  J.  Davis,  Company  I.  In  ref 
erence  to  the  part  taken  by  the  regiment  in  this  engagement 
Brigadier  General  J.  W.  Davidson  in  his  report  said:  "I  or 
dered  a  vigorous  advance  of  Glover's  brigade,  and  when  they 
became  exhausted,  within  two  miles  of  the  city,  threw  Hitter's 
brigade  and  Stange's  howitzers,  supported  by  two  squadrons  of 
the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  under  the  gallant  Captain  Jenks,  into 
the  city  and  on  the  heels  of  the  enemy,  saber  in  hand.  At 
seven  o'clock  P.  M.  the  Capital  was  surrendered  by  the  acting 
city  authorities,  and  the  United  States  Arsenal,  uninjured,  with 
what  stores  remained  in  it,  was  repossessed. 

Our  entire  loss,  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  did  not  ex 
ceed  100,  while  the  enemy's  loss  was  much  greater  ;  1,000  men 
were  taken  prisoners.  Among  the  killed  was  a  Colonel  of  cav 
alry. 

The  following  Iowa  regiments  took  part  in  the  capture  of 
Little  Rock  :  The  First  and  six  companies  of  the  Third  Cav 
alry  ;  Twenty-ninth,  Thirty-second,  Thirty-third,  Thirty-sixth 
and  Fortieth  Infantry.  The  battle  was  fought  almost  exclu 
sively  by  the  cavalry  division. 

Following  are  copies  of  the  official  reports  of  Major  General 
Steele  and  Brigadier  General  J.  W.  Davidson,  of  the  expedi 
tion,  of  the  engagement  and  subsequent  capture  of  the  city  ; 
also  Brigadier  General  Davidson's  congratulatory  order  : 

REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  STEELE. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARKANSAS  EXPEDITION. 

LITTLE  ROCK.  AKK..  Sept.  12.  1868. 

GENERAL: — I    have   the  honor  to  submit  the  following-  as  a  summary 
17 


130  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

of  the  operations  which  led  to  the  occupation  of  the  Capital  by  the  ex 
peditionary  army  under  my  command. 

On  the  31st  day  of  July  I  arrived  at  Helena,  and  pursuant  to  instruc 
tions  from  Major  General  Grant,  reported  by  letter  to  the  commander 
of  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps  for  instructions  relative  to  the  fitting  out 
of  an  expedition  against  Little  Rock.  General  Hurlburt  placed  under 
my  command  all  the  troops  at  Helena,  and  the  cavalry  division  under 
Brigadier  General  Davidson,  then  operating  in  Arkansas.  The  garri 
son  at  Helena  had  been  reinforced  by  two  brigades  of  KimbalFs  divis 
ion,  which  had  just  arrived  from  Snyder's  Bluff,  and  were  suffering 
severely  from  the  malarious  influences  of  the  Yazoo  country.  The  pro 
portion  of  sick  among  the  Helena  troops  was  also  very  large.  Three 
regiments  were  designated  to  remain  at  Helena,  and  these,  with  the 
sick  and  convalescents  of  the  whole  command,  were  to  constitute  the 
garrison  of  that  place.  The  troops  at  Helena  designated  for  the  expe 
dition  amounted  to  about  six  thousand  (6.000)  of  all  arms.  There  were 
three  six-gun  and  one  four-gun  batteries,  including  six  ten-pound  Par- 
rotts.  The  cavalry.  First  Indiana  and  Eighth  Kansas,  amounted  to  less 
than  five  hundred  (500)  for  duty.  The  First  Indiana  had  three  rifled 
guns. 

Davidson  reported  something  less  than  six  thousand  (6,000)  present 
for  duty  in  his  cavalry  division,  and  eighteen  (18)  pieces  of  artillery, 
showing  an  aggregate  of  about  twelve  thousand  (12,000)  for  duty. 
Brigadier  Generals  Kimball  and  Solomon  obtained  leave  of  absence, 
and  the  resignation  of  General  Ross  was  accepted,  which  left  me  with 
but  one  general  officer.  Davidson. 

The  resignation  of  my  A.  A.  General  was  accepted  just  at  this  time, 
and  there  were  no  officers  of  the  Quartermaster  or  subsistence  depart 
ment  at  Helena,  except  Captain  Allen.  A.  C.  S..  and  Captain  Noble,  A. 
Q.  M..  who  were  in  charge  of  the  stores  in  the  depot.  I  ordered  the 
establishment  of  camps  for  the  sick  and  convalescents,  and  organized 
the  command  in  the  best  manner  possible.  Davidson  pushed  on  to 
( larendon  and  established  a  ferry  for  crossing  the  troops,  corduroying 
two  miles  of  bottom,  and  laying  down  the  pontoon  bridges  across  the 
Rock  Rae  bayou.  On  the  10th  of  August  the  Helena  troops,  organized 
into  a  division  under  Colonel  now  Brigadier  General  S.  A.  Rice,  marched 
toward  Clarendon,  with  orders  to  reconstruct  the  bridges  which  had 
been  destroyed  by  the  rebels,  and  to  make  all  necessary  repairs  on  the 
road,  which  was  in  bad  condition.  Kimball's  division,  under  Colonel 
McLean,  followed  the  next  dav.  The  whole  command  was  at  Clar- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  131 

endon  and  commenced  crossing'  the  river  on  the  17th  of  August. 
Before  the  crossing-  was  effected  I  found  my  operations  encum 
bered  by  one  thousand  (1,000)  sick.  To  have  established  a  hospital 
and  depot  at  this  point  would  have  involved  the  necessity  of  occupying 
both  sides  of  the  river.  Duvall's  Bluff  was  a  more  healthy  location, 
and  the  route  from  there  to  Little  Rock  possessed  many  advantages 
over  the  other  as  a  line  of  operations.  I  therefore  ordered  all  the 
stores  and  sick  to  be  sent  to  Duvall's  Bluff  by  water.  The  enemy  had 
constructed  rifle-pits  in  a  commanding  position  fronting  the  crossing  on 
Rock  Rae  bayou,  but  on  the  approach  of  Davidson's  division  had  fallen 
back,  leaving  only  a  picket.  This  position  could  easily  have  been 
turned  by  the  road  leading  up  from  Harris's  ferry.  On  the  22d 
Davidson  was  directed  to  move  with  his  division  to  Dead  Man's  Lake 
arid  reconnoiter  the  enemy's  position  at  Brownsville.  On  the  23d  the 
rest  of  the  command  moved  to  Duvall's  Bluff,  the  transports  carrying 
the  sick  and  stores  under  convoy  of  the  gunboats.  An  advantageous 
site  was  selected  on  the  bluff  for  the  hospital  and  depot,  and  details  im 
mediately  ordered  to  throw  up  entrenchments,  cut  away  the  timber  on 
the  flanks  to  give  the  gunboats  clear  range,  to  erect  sheds,  etc. 

On  the  24th  Davidson  advanced  to  Two  Prairie  bayou,  and  on  the 
2oth  continued  the  march,  skirmishing  with  Marmaduke's  cavalry  up  to 
Brownsville,  dislodging  him  at  that  place,  and  driving  him  into  his  en 
trenchments  at  Bayou  Metoe  on  the  26th.  The  attack  was  renewed  on 
the  27th,  and  the  enemy  driven  from  his  work  on  the  bayou,  and  fired 
the  bridge  as  he  retreated.  Davidson  was  unable  to  save  the  bridge, 
everything  having  been  prepared  for  its  destruction  beforehand.  The 
bayou  was  deep  and  miry,  and  the  pursuit  of  the  rebels  being  thus 
checked,  Davidson  withdrew  to  his  camp  at  Brownsville,  leaving  pickets 
at  the  crossings  on  the  bayou.  I  received  information  that  True's  brig 
ade  from  Memphis  would  arrive  at  Clarendon  on  the  29th,  and  immedi 
ately  sent  a  party  to  construct  a  bridge  across  Rock  Rae  bayou,  and  a 
ferry  boat  to  cross  the  troops  over  White  river.  True  crossed  on  the 
80th  of  August,  and  on  the  1st  of  September  moved  up  to  Dead  Man's 
Lake.  The  advance  from  Duvall's  Bluff  also  commenced  on  the  1st,  the 
place  having  been  put  in  such  a  state  of  defense  that  the  convalescents 
and  a  small  detail  left  there  were  deemed  sufficient  to  hold  it  against 
any  force  the  enemy  would  be  likely  to  send  against  it.  On  the  2d  in 
stant  all  my  available  force  was  concentrated  at  Brownsville.  It  had 
been  ascertained  that  the  military  road  on  the  south  side  of  Bayou  Me 
toe  passed  through  a  section  impracticable  for  any  military  operation — 


132  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

swamp,  timber,  and  entanglements  of  vines  and  undergrowth,  and  was 
commanded  by  the  enemy's  works.  I  therefore  directed  Davidson  to 
make  a  reconnoissance  in  force  around  the  enemy's  left  by  way  of  Aus 
tin,  and,  if  practicable,  to  penetrate  his  lines  and  ascertain  both  his 
strength  and  position.  Rice's  division  was  ordered  forward  to  make  a 
diversion  in  Davidson's  favor  on  Bayou  Metoe.  Rice  drove  in  the  ene 
my's  pickets,  shelled  the  woods  on  the  south  side  of  the  bayou  for  several 
hours,  and  encamped  for  the  night.  In  the  meantime  Davidson  pushed 
his  reconnoissance  until  the  numerous  roads  on  his  flanks  and  rear  ren 
dered  it  dangerous  for  him  to  proceed  any  further.  The  great  length 
to  which  it  would  increase  our  line  of  communication  with  our  base 
rendered  it  impracticable  for  us  to  attack  the  enemy  on  his  left  flank. 
This  reconnoissance  occupied  two  days. 

By  this  time  I  had  collected  information  in  regard  to  the  road  lead 
ing  by  Shallow  Ford  and  Ashley's  Mills  to  the  Arkansas  and  the  right 
of  the  enemy's  works,  which  determined  me  to  take  that  route.  The 
march  to  the  front  was  resumed  on  the  6th.  Here  we  found  ourselves 
again  encumbered  with  the  sick — near  700.  True's  brigade  and  RitterV 
brigade  of  cavalry  were  left  to  guard  the  supply  train  and  the  sick.  On 
the  7th  we  reached  the  Arkansas  near  Ashley's  Mills.  At  this  point, 
Davidson's  cavalry  had  a  sharp  skirmish  with  the  enemy.  The  8th  and 
9th  were  employed  in  reconnoissances.  repairing  the  road  back  to  Bayou 
Metoe.  and  in  bringing  up  the  sick  and  the  supply  train,  with  the  brig 
ade  left  at  Brownsville. 

I  now  definitely  determined  upon  a  plan  of  attack.  Davidson  was 
directed  to  lay  the  pontoon  bridge  at  an  eligible  point,  throw  his  divis 
ion  across  the  Arkansas  river,  and  move  directly  on  Little  Rock,  threat 
ening  the  enemy's  right  flank  and  rear,  while  I  moved  with  the  rest  of 
the  force  on  the  north  flank  and  assailed  the  right  of  his  works.  Dur 
ing  the  night  of  the  9th  Davidson  made  his  dispositions  for  crossing  the 
Arkansas,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  l.()th  had  the  pontoon  bridge  laid. 
The  Second  Division  was  ordered  to  report  to  him  at  daylight  to  assist 
in  covering  his  crossing.  The  bridge  was  placed  in  a  bend  of  the 
river,  and  the  ground  on  the  south  side  was  so  completely  swept  by 
Davidson's  artillery  that  the  enemy  could  not  plant  a  battery  in  any  po 
sition  from  which  he  could  interrupt  the  crossing. 

Two  regiments  of  infantry  passed  over  the  river  to  drive  the  enemy's 
skirmishers  out  of  the  woods,  and  the  cavalry  division  passed  on  with 
out  interruption  until  they  reached  Bayou  Fourche.  where  the  enemy 
were  drawn  up  in  line  to  receive  them.  The  rebels  held  this  position 
obstinately  until  our  artillery  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  was 


HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  133 

opened  on  their  flank  and  rear,  when  they  gave  way  and  were  steadily 
pushed  by  Davidson,  the  artillery  constantly  playing  upon  them  from 
the  other  side  of  the  river.  Our  two  columns  marched  nearly  abreast 
on  either  side  of  the  Arkansas.  Volumes  of  smoke  in  the  direction  of 
Little  Rock  indicated  to  us  that  the  rebels  had  evacuated  their  works  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river  and  were  burning  their  pontoon  bridges. 
Heavy  clouds  of  dust  moving  down  toward  Davidson  on  the  other  side 
of  the  river  made  me  apprehensive  that  the  enemy  contemplated  falling 
upon  him  with  his  entire  force.  He  was  instructed  in  such  an  event  to 
form  upon  the  beach,  where  his  flanks  could  be  protected  by  our  artillery 
on  the  other  side,  and  where  aid  might  be  sent  to  him  by  a  ford.  But 
they  were  in  full  retrea,t.  Marmaduke's  cavalry  only  were  disputing 
Davidson's  entry  of  the  city.  The  rebels  had  fired  their  pontoon  bridge 
across  the  Arkansas  at  the  city,  and  several  railroad  cars.  Two  loco 
motives  were  also  on  fire,  but  were  saved  by  us  ;  part  of  the  pontoons 
were  also  saved.  Six  steamboats  were  entirely  destroyed  by  fire,  and 
we  are  informed  that  Price  intended  to  have  blown  up  the  Arsenal,  but 
was  pressed  so  close  that  he  failed  in  this. 

Our  cavalry  was  too  much  exhausted  to  pursue  the  enemy's  retreat 
ing  columns  far  on  the  evening  of  the  10th.  Next  morning  Merrill's 
and  Clayton's  brigades  renewed  the  chase  and  followed  them  twenty 
miles,  taking  a  number  of  prisoners  and  causing  the  enemy  to  destroy 
part  of  his  train.  Little  Rock  was  formally  surrendered  by  the  munici 
pal  authorities  on  the  evening  of  the  10th.  Price  had  undoubtedly 
intended  to  give  us  battle  in  his  intrenchments.  but  was  entirely  sur 
prised  by  our  movements  across  the  Arkansas,  and  did  not  suspect  it 
until  after  the  pontoon  bridge  was  laid.  When  it  was  reported  to  him 
that  our  infantry  were  crossing,  he  took  it  for  granted  that  our  whole 
army  was  moving  to  cut  off  his  retreat  to  Arkadelphia.  I  have  been 
informed  by  citizens  that  General  Cabell,  with  about  four  thousand 
(4,000)  troops  from  Fort  Smith,  had  joined  Price  in  his  retreat,  he  hav 
ing  failed  to  reach  here  in  time  to  assist  in  the  defense  of  the  place.  I 
marched  to  Ashley's  Mills  on  the  morning  of  the  10th  with  not  more 
than  seven  thousand  (7.000)  troops,  having  parked  the  trains  and  left 
a  strong  guard  to  protect  them  and  the  sick.  The  operations  of  the 
army  from  the  time  that  I  commenced  organizing  it  at  Helena  have 
occupied  exactly  forty  days. 

Our  entire  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  will  not  exceed  one 
hundred  (100.)  The  enemy's  is  greater,  especially  in  prisoners — at 
least  one  thousand  (1,000.) 

I  shall  reserve  the  list  of  casualties  and  my  special  recommendations 


134  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

for  a  future   communication.     However,   I  will   say  that  Davidson  and 
his  cavalry  division  deserve  the  highest  commendations. 
I  enclose  Brigadier  General  Davidson's  report. 
Very  respectfully,  your  ob't  servant, 

FRED.   STEELE. 
Major  General   Commanding. 
MAJOR  GENERAL  SCHOFIELD, 
Commanding  Department  of  Missouri. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  MISSOURI, 
LITTLE  ROCK.  ARKANSAS.  September  12th.  1863. 

COLONEL  : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  operations  of  my  division 
on  the  10th  instant,  the  day  of  the  capture  of  Little  Rock. 

The  plan  agreed  upon  by  General  Steele  the  preceding  day  was  that 
he,  with  the  whole  infantry  force,  should  move  up  the  north  bank  of 
the  Arkansas  directly  upon  the  enemy's  works,  while  my  cavalry  divis 
ion  should  force  the  passage  of  the  river,  move  up  the  south  bank,  and 
assail  the  city  in  the  rear.  All  necessary  arrangements  were  made  that 
night.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell,  Captains  Hadley  and  Gerster,  of 
my  staff,  worked  all  night  at  the  cutting  of  the  steep  bank  of  the  river, 
the  location  of  the  batteries,  and  the  laying  of  the  bridge. 

A  division  of  infantry  under  Colonel  Engleman  was  placed  tempora 
rily  at  my  disposition,  and  was  in  position  above  the  crossing  at  day 
light.  So.  also,  were  Hadley's  and  Stanger's  batteries  and  the  Fifth 
and  Eleventh  Ohio.  Merrill's  and  Glover's  brigades  were  massed  out 
of  sight  behind  the  crossing  at  eight  A.  M..  and  the  laying  of  the  pon 
toon  bridge  was  completed  at  that  hour.  Ritter's  brigade  with  Clark- 
son's  battery  was  ordered  to  make  a  demonstration  four  miles  below  at 
Buck's  ford,  then  held  by  the  enemy.  The  passage  was  effected  by 
eleven  A.  M.,  all  three  brigades  crossing  at  the  same  point,  the  opposi 
tion  of  the  enemy  not  lasting  fifteen  minutes  under  the  concentrated  fire 
of  our  batteries. 

No  further  opposition  was  met  with  by  my  division  until  we  reached 
Fourche  bayou,  five  miles  from  Little  Rock.  Here  we  found  the  enemy, 
consisting  of  Marmaduke's  cavalry,  dismounted,  and  Tappan's  brigade 
of  infantry,  with  two  batteries,  strongly  posted. 

A  sharp  fight  of  Glover's  brigade  on  one  road  and  Merrill's  on  anoth 
er  leading  on  the  main  one,  during  which  the  Second  Brigade  lost  two 
howitzers,  drove  the  enemy  from  this  position  toward  the  city.  Every 
advantageous  foot  of  ground  from  this  point  was  warmly  contested  by 
them.  my  cavalry  dismounting  and  taking  it  afoot  through  the  timber 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  135 

and  cornfields.  I  had  previously  sent  an  officer  of  my  escort,  Lieuten  - 
ant  Armstrong,  with  a  guidon,  to  follow  along  the  bank  of  the  river  to 
mark  the  progress  of  my  column  to  General  Steele.  The  fire  of  his  bat 
teries  from  the  opposite  bank  progressively  was  of  service  to  us. 

My  advance  was  here  somewhat  slow,  from  the  fact  that  the  enemy, 
finding  themselves  threatened  in  the  rear,  evacuated  their  works  in 
front  of  General  Steele,  and  I  did  not  know  what  moment  their  whole 
force  might  be  thrown  upon  me.  I  received  a  message  from  General 
Steele  in  such  event  to  withdraw  my  horses  under  the  bluff  bank  of  the 
river  on  the  bar.  and  his  batteries  would  protect  my  flanks.  Finding, 
however,  that  the  opposition  of  the  enemy  was  not  stubborn  enough  to 
warrant  the  belief  that  they  were  all  in  front  of  me,  I  ordered  a  vigor 
ous  advance  of  Glover's  brigade,  and  when  they  became  exhausted  with 
in  two  miles  of  the  city,  threw  Ritter's  brigade  and  Stanger's  howitzers, 
supported  by  two  squadrons  of  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  under  the  gallant  Cap 
tain  Jenks.  into  the  city  and  on  to  the  heels  of  the  enemy,  saber  in 
hand.  At  seven  P.  M.  the  Capital  of  Arkansas  was  formally  surren 
dered  by  the  acting  city  authorities,  and  the  United  States  Arsenal,  un 
injured,  and  with  what  stores  remained  in  it,  was  "  repossessed.11 

Later  in  the  evening  General  Steele.  whose  forces  had  entered  the 
works  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  came  over,  the  enemy  not  being 
able  to  entirely  destroy  their  bridge  or  boats.  A  column  was  organized 
under  Colonels  Merrill  and  Clayton  to  pursue  vigorously  next  morning. 

My  loss  does  not  exceed,  so  far  as  known.  60  killed  and  wounded. 
That  of  the  enemy  is  not  known.  Among  their  killed  is  Colonel  Cosley. 
of  Dobbin's  former  regiment. 

My  whole  staff — Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell.  Captains  Hadley  and 
Gerster,  Lieutenants  Montgomery  and  McGonnegle.  Gray  and  Sprague. 
and  Surgeon  Smith.  Quartermaster  Johnston.  Captain  Thompson.  C.  S.. 
served  me  faithfully  throughout  the  day.  The  brigade  commanders,  es 
pecially  Colonel  Glover,  Second  Brigade,  deserve  honorable  mention. 
Colonel  Glover  deserves  his  promotion  as  a  general  officer.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Caldwell,  whose  untiring  devotion  and  energy  never  flags  dur 
ing  the  night  or  day.  deserves  for  his  gallantry  and  varied  accomplish 
ments  as  a  cavalry  officer  promotion  to  the  rank  of  a  general  officer. 

Beyond  these  I  must  refer  to  the  reports  of  brigade  commanders 
herewith  inclosed  for  the  many  cases  of  individual  good  judgment  and 
gallantry  displayed. 

I  am.  sir,  your  obedient  servant. 

J.  W.  DAVIDSON.    Brig.  den. 

COL.  J.  H.  MANTEK.  Chief  of  Xtaff. 


136  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  MISSOURI, 
LITTLE  ROCK,  ARKANSAS,  September  13th.  1863. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  62. 

Soldiers  of  the  cavalry  division  !  I  congratulate  you  that  your  long 
and  weary  march  is  at  length  terminated  by  victory.  Little  Rock — the 
Capital  of  the  State  of  Arkansas — the  key  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  De 
partment — is  in  our  hands.  The  United  States  Arsenal,  uninjured,  is 
"re-possessed."  The  feet  of  the  rebel  army,  who  but  a  day  ago  filed 
with  downcast  heads  through  the  streets  of  this  city,  will  tread  the  sands 
of  Arkansas  no  more. 

But,  comrades  !  you  have  gained  two  victories  on  the  same  day. 
Though  flushed  with  success — though  entering  this  city  when  the  dark 
ness  of  night  would  have  covered  up  misdeeds — though  your  passions 
were  stirred  that  our  soldiers  were  shot  from  their  saddles  within  the 
suburbs  of  the  city — no  outrage  upon  its  defenseless  inhabitants  has 
stained  your  hands.  I  thank  you  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart.  Your 
conduct  has  more  than  repaid  me  for  many  an  anxious  day  and  sleep 
less  night.  For  you,  may  there  be  continuous  success  wherever  it  may 
be  our  lot  to  go.  For  me.  I  have  no  higher  aim,  amd  ask  no  greater 
honor,  than  to  lead  such  men.  J.  W.  DAVIDSON, 

Brig.  Gen.  Commanding. 

During  this  campaign.  Major  William  Thompson,  Captain 
Robert  L.  Freeman,  Company  K,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Samuel 
T.  Craig,  were  detached  on  staff  duty  with  General  Davidson- 
Major  Thompson  serving  as  Inspector  General,  Captain  Free 
man  Adjutant  General,  and  Lieutenant  Craig  as  Ordnance  Offi 
cer.  The4  following  copy  of  an  official  report  of  Lieutenant 
Craig  is  characteristic  of  the  man — ever  prompt  and  actively 
energetic  in  the  performance  of  his  official  duties : 

DUVALL'S  BLUFF,  ARKANSAS.  August  26th.  1863. 
BRIGADIER  GENERAL  J.  W.  DAVIDSON. 

Commanding  Cavalry  Division.  Brownsville.  Ark-anxax : 
DEAR  SIR  : — In  compliance  with  your  special  order  I  took  charge  of 
the  steamboat  Progress  at  ( 'larendon.  Arkansas,  and  proceeded  down 
White  river,  and  thence  up  the  Mississippi  river,  arriving  at  Helena. 
Arkansas,  at  midnight  on  the  17th  inst.  I  delivered  your  dispatch  to 
the  Adjutant  General  at  post,  to  be  forwarded  to  General  Steele  the  fol 
lowing  morning,  he  having  moved  his  forces  for  Clarendon.  Arkansas. 


Cnl,  WILLIAM  THOMPSON 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  137 

the  15th  inst.  We  took  coal  and  proceeded  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  ar 
riving  there  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  18th  inst.,  and  delivered  your  letter 
and  presented  requisitions  for  ammunition  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ben- 
more,  A.  A.  General,  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  District  Memphis ;  the 
steamer  Progress  being  much  damaged,  caused  by  running  into  the 
river  banks  and  breaking  its  wheel. 

The  stream,  White  river,  is  so  narrow  and  crooked,  and  the  captain 
and  pilot  either  had  determined  to  sink  the  boat  or  were  so  frightened 
that  they  caused  the  vessel  to  run  at  such  a-  rate  of  speed  that  she 
could  not  make  the  bends  of  the  river  at  many  places  without  striking 
the  bow  and  then  whirling  clear  around,  and  being  a  stern-wheel  boat 
she  was  much  damaged.  Captain  Sweet  required  until  the  20th  inst 
to  repair  her.  Having  ascertained  from  the  Ordnance  Department  at 
Helena  and  Memphis  that  Lieutenant  Hubbard  did  not  procure  ammu 
nition  for  the  batteries  on  account  of  the  informality  of  the  requisitions, 
I  reported  to  General  "Hurlburt  and  informed  him  of  the  necessity  of 
your  getting  the  ammunition,  and  he  ordered  the  Ordnance  Depart 
ment  at  Memphis  to  issue  ammunition  upon  my  requisitions  for  batter 
ies  and  small  arms  required  by  the  division. 

The  steamer  being  repaired  and  landed  we  proceeded  down  the  Mis 
sissippi  river  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.  on  the  20th  inst. ;  arrived  at  Helena 
the  21st  inst.  at  six  o'clock  A.  M.  Quartermaster  Noble,  of  the  post, 
took  charge  of  the  steamer  and  loaded  her  with  convalescent  soldiers  of 
the  Twenty-seventh  Wisconsin  Infantry  Volunteers  and  commissary 
stores.  We  proceeded  from  Helena  on  the  22dinst.  at  six  o'clock  A.  M.: 
arrived  at  the  mouth  of  White  river  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.  ;  and  we  were 
ordered  by  the  Admiral  in  charge  of  gunboats  and  convoys  to  assist 
the  steamer  Sallie  List  in  towing  two  barges  of  hay  up  White  river,  but 
refused  to  furnish  us  with  convoy.  We  proceeded  up  White  river,  and 
our  cargoes  being  wide  and  the  stream  very  narrow,  and  the  night  very 
dark,  we  attempted  to  anchor,  but  our  anchors  being  insufficient  to  hold 
the  cargoes,  (the  hay  barges  being  placed  between  the  steamers,  the 
front  barge  extending  about  half  its  length  in  front, )  with  some  diffi 
culty  we  steamed  up  the  river  until  we  arrived  where  the  banks  of  the 
river  were  low  and  marshy.  We  tied  up  at  the  cut-off,  about  two  miles 
below  St.  Charles  landing,  on  the  night  of  the  23d  inst. .  and  by  plac 
ing  lumber  on  the  shore  we  were  able  to  put  out  a  picket  guard,  but  were 
not  molested  during  the  night,  for  it  was  impossible  for  an  enemy  to 
approach  us  on  account  of  the  marshy  ground.  At  daylight  we  pro 
ceeded,  and  while  passing  Crockett's  landing  about  seven  o'clock  A.  M.. 

18 


138  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

the  enemy  fired  into  our  boats  several  volleys  with  small  arms  from  the 
south  banks  of  the  river  and  wounded  six  of  our  men  on  the  steamer 
Progress.  The  Lieutenants  in  charge  of  the  convalescent  soldiers  not 
showing  any  disposition  to  command  notwithstanding  they  outranked  me. 
I  took  command  and  with  the  assistance  of  my  ordnance  sergeant  ral 
lied  the  convalescent  soldiers,  and  forming  protection  for  the  men  by 
placing  boxes  of  hardtack  around  the  outer  railing  of  the  boat  and 
placing  their  knapsacks  upon  the  same,  they  were  caused  to  kneel  down 
and  fire  upon  the  enemy  without  waiting  for  further  orders.  There 
being  two  surgeons  on  the  steamer  Sallie  List,  the  wounded  were  taken 
below  and  properly  cared  for  and  are  doing  well.  Having  one  section 
of  the  Fifth  Ohio  Battery  on  board.  I  placed  the  gun  on  the  front  of  the 
barge  of  hay,  which  extended  in  front  of  the  boats  about  half  its  length, 
and  the  sergeant  in  charge  of  gun  was  enabled  to  shell  the  timber  in  which 
the  enemy  were  concealed.  This  had  the  desired  effect  and  dispersed 
them.  I  had  placed  guards  over  the  pilots  from  the  fact  that  the  one 
piloting  the  steamer  Progress  had  threatened  to  turn  over  our  cargo  to 
the  enemy  before  we  returned.  But  it  so  happened  that  when  we  were 
fired  upon  Captain  Sweet  was  at  the  "  wheel"  and  stood  unflinchingly 
at  his  post,  notwithstanding  his  pilot  house  was  pierced  with  the  en 
emy's  bullets,  showing  the  dangerous  position  he  occupied.  The  pilot 
house  of  the  steamer  Sallie  List  was  well  protected  with  sheet  iron,  but 
the  pilot  abandoned  his  post,  and  the  mate  of  the  same  had  suffered  or 
allowed  the  boat  to  be  partially  cut  loose  from  our  boat,  so  that  she  was 
dragging  us  to  shore,  evidently  planned  to  land  us  so  that  the  enemy 
could  board  our  boats.  But  with  the  assistance  of  my  ordnance  Ser 
geant  with  revolvers  in  hand  we  went  aboard  of  her  and  demanded  that 
the  mate  make  her  fast  to  our  boat,  which  he  did  immediately,  and  with 
the  untiring  energy  and  efficiency  of  Captain  Sweet  we  steamed  up  the 
river  ;  and  under  my  directions  the  sergeant  in  charge  of  the  piece  of 
artillery  shelled  the  banks  of  the  river  on  the  south  all  the  way  up  to 
Clarendon  wherever  the  banks  of  the  river  were  sufficiently  high  for 
the  enemy  to  approach  the  river.  A  squad  of  colored  people  at  one 
time  approached  the  river  and  made  signs  for  us  to  land,  but  I  didn't 
think  it  prudent. 

Our  loss  was  six  wounded — three  severely  and  three  slightly.  One 
was  Brown,  clerk  of  the  sutler  of  Merrill's  Horse  ;  the  other  five  were 
of  the  Twenty-seventh  Wisconsin  Infantry  Volunteers. 

We  arrived  at  ( 'larendon.  Arkansas,  on  the  24th  inst. .  and  were  or 
dered  by  the  commander  of  the  post  to  await  for  convoy.  We  pro- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ceeded  from  Clarendon,  Arkansas,  with  convoy,  at  two  o'clock  the  25th 
inst.,  and  arrived  at  this  place  at  seven  o'clock  p.  M.  on  the  26th  inst.. 
and  at  the  same  hour  of  the  day  commenced  loading-  on  wag-on  train 
all  the  ordnance  for  the  purpose  of  transporting-  the  same  to  your  com 
mand  at  Brownsville.  Arkansas. 

Hoping-  that  the  above  and  foreg-oing  report  will  be  a  sufficient  ex 
planation  for  my  seeming-  delay, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  General. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  T.  CRAIG, 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  H,  1st  Iowa  Cav.   Vol.. 
and  Acting  Ordnance  Officer  Cav.  Div.. 

Department  of  the  Missouri. 

It  is  but  justice  to  all  my  old  comrades  to  say  that  during 
this  entire  expedition  they  were  placed  in  many  trying  and  dan 
gerous  positions  and  always  acquitted  themselves  with  honor ; 
winning  the  admiration,  respect  and  esteem  of  their  command 
ing  Generals  by  their  gallant  bravery  and  soldierly  bearing. 
General  Davidson  and  the  regiment  were  ever  afterward  warm 
friends.  A  beautiful  and  costly  saber  was  presented  him,  pur 
chased  by  the  privates  of  the  regiment,  as  a  token  of  their 
friendship  and  love  for  their  old  commander. 

During  the  night  of  the  10th,  the  regiment  bivouacked  in  the 
southern  suburbs  of  the  city.  On  the  llth  it  camped  on  the 
bank  of  the  Arkansas  river,  about  three  miles  east  from  the 
city. 

On  the  12th  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  arrived,  having  been 
relieved  from  duty  in  charge  of  the  General  Field  Hospital  at 
Bloomfield,  Missouri. 

On  the  25th  the  camp  was  removed  to  the  southern  suburbs  of 
the  city,  near  the  United  States  Arsenal. 

October  1st  Colonel  Anderson,  by  order  of  General  Davidson, 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  Second  Cavalry  Brigade,  Major 
Caldwell  being  in  command  of  the  regiment. 

October  15th  it  again  removed  camp  to  a  place  about  two 
miles  down  the  river,  where  it  remained  during  the  winter. 


140  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Here  the  men  built  comfortable  cabins  for  themselves  and  sheds 
for  their  horses,  doing  picket,  outpost  duty  and  scouting. 
During  the  latter  part  of  the  campaign  which  ended  in  the  cap 
ture  of  Little  Rock,  and  the  month  of  October,  the  regiment, 
as  alsp  the  whole  army,  suffered  severely  from  sickness  conse 
quent  upon  that  terrible  march  through  the  swamps  and  fens  of 
Missouri  and  Arkansas — 

•  •  Where  the  will-o^-the  wisps  and  glow-worms  shine, 

In  bull-rushes  and  in  brake  ; 
Where  waving  mosses  shroud  the  pine, 
And  the  cedar  grows  and  the  poisonous  vine 

Is  spotted  like  the  snake  "- 

where  the  very  air  was  surcharged  with  deadly  miasm.  Many 
brave  men  fell  victims  to  diarrhoea,  malaria  and  typhus.  Others 
lingered  for  months  in  doubtful  convalescence,  while  others 
completely  broken  in  health  were  furloughed  and  discharged 
from  service.  As  the  cool  weather  of  the  autumn  approached, 
the  health  of  the  regiment  improved. 

The  following  memoranda  are  extracts  from  my  notes  made 
at  the  time : 

October  15th.  Assistant  Surgeon  Ladd,  a  most  genial  com 
panion,  having  resigned  the  service,  left  for  his  northern  home. 

A  Board  of  Examining  Surgeons,  with  Assistant  Surgeon  Lo- 
throp  as  president,  was  organized  to-day,  for  the  purpose  of 
examining  soldiers  of  the  cavalry  division  recommended  for  dis 
charge  on  certificates  of  disability. 

25th.  Intelligence  received  to-day  that  General  Marmaduke 
with  2,500  men  and  twelve  pieces  of  artillery  were  marching 
upon  Pine  Bluff's,  a  town  about  fifty  miles  distant  east  from 
Little  Rock,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Arkansas  river,  in  Jeffer 
son  county.  General  Steel e  at  once  ordered  reinforcements 
from  Brownsville,  Benton,  and  from  this  place.  A  detachment 
of  250  men  from  the  regiment,  with  one  section  of  the  Twenty- 
fifth  Ohio  Battery,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  W.  Caldwell, 
marched  immediately  and  reached  Pine  Bluff's  early  the  next 


m  HISTOEY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  141 

morning  (26th),  and  found  that  General  Marmaduke  had 
attacked  the  place  on  the  25th. ;  that  he  had  met  with  a  hot 
reception  and  a  most  disastrous  repulse,  and  was  now  on  a  ret 
rograde  march  to  a  more  temperate  climate. 

The  town  is  pleasantly  situated  on  a  high  bluff,  and  receives 
its  name  from  its  location  and  the  extensive  pine  forests  in  the 
vicinity.  It  is  one  of  the  most  important  posts  established  on 
the  river,  and  necessary  to  be  held  in  order  to  insure  uninter 
rupted  navigation  of  the  river.  Colonel  Powell  Clayton,  with 
a  force  of  550  men,  constituted  the  garrison,  and  with  this  small 
force  he  had  defeated  General  Marmaduke  with  his  vastly  supe 
rior  force.  Lieutenant  Colonel  H.  C.  Caldwell,  Third  Iowa 
Cavalry,  with  his  force  from  Benton,  having  arrived  some  time 
before  noon,  the  combined  force  with  all  the  available  force  at 
this  post  was  ordered  by  General  Steele  to  pursue  the  enemy. 
Waiting  until  five  P.  M.  for  the  arrival  of  the  force  from  Browns 
ville,  (which  by  the  way  did  not  make  its  appearance  at  all,) 
the  command,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  H.  C.  Caldwell, 
marched  in  a  southwesterly  direction  on  the  road  leading  to  Tu 
lip,  a  small  town  in  Dallas  county,  and  during  the  night 
reached  the  Saline  river,  at  a  place  about  thirty  miles  distant 
from  Pine  Bluffs.  Crossing  the  river  in  the  early  morning,  it 
arrived  at  Tulip  at  about  three  p.  M.  Marmaduke's  forces  were 
reported  to  be  at  Princeton,  a  town  some  four  or  five  miles  dis 
tant  to  the  south.  On  arriving  at  Princeton  it  was  found  that 
he  was  again  on  the  march  for  a  more  congenial  climate. 

Believing  further  pursuit  to  be  useless,  the  command  marched 
on  the  road  leading  to  Arkadelphia,  arriving  at  that  place  at 
two  A.  M.  on  the  29th,  capturing  a  large  number  of  horses  and 
mules  while  on  the  march.  At  Arkadelphia  two  Lieutenants 
and  a  few  soldiers  were  taken  prisoners ;  three  six-mule  teams, 
belonging  to  the  rebel  government,  a  large  amount  of  mail  mat 
ter,  and  1,370  Confederate  dollars,  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  rebel 
salt,  were  captured. 

On  the  30th  a  countermarch  was   commenced   by  the  way  of 


142  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

the  Arkadelphia  and  Little  Rock  road,  and  the  regiment  arrived 
in  camp  at  Little  Rock  November  1st,  having  been  out  seven 
days  and  marched  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

November  14th.  The  number  of  our  brigade  was  changed 
from  the  second  to  the  third. 

November  27th.  Surgeon  Cochran  returned  from  duty  on 
the  staff  of  Major  General  Herron,  and  on  the  30th  assigned  to 
duty  as  Surgeon-in-Chief  of  the  cavalry  division. 

December  8th.  A  detachment  of  260  men  of  the  regiment, 
with  detachments  of  other  regiments,  with  a  section  of  the 
Twenty-fifth  Ohio  Battery,  all  under  command  of  Captain 
Jenks,  Company  D,  marched  on  an  expedition  to  Princeton 
and  vicinity.  On  the  march,  a  few  miles  south  from  Princeton, 
they  encountered  a  rebel  encampment  of  800  men  under  the 
command  of  General  Parsons.  The  regiment,  having  the  ad 
vance,  dismounted  and  drove  them  from  their  position  ;  then 
mounting  their  horses  pursued  the  retreating  enemy  to  with 
in  fifteen  miles  of  Cainden,  Ouachita  county.  In  this  skir 
mish  39  prisoners  were  taken,  and  a  quantity  of  arms,  camp 
equipage,  etc. ,  were  captured.  Our  loss  was  two  wounded — C. 
Smelser,  Company  F,  and  A.  McCaskey,  Company  K,  severely 
wounded  in  arm  near  shoulder  joint.  The  arm  was  amputated, 
and  he  was  left  at  Princeton.  (He  received  most  kindly  care 
and  attention  from  the  citizens,  and  was  found  near  that  place 
by  some  members  of  his  company  when  returning  from  the 
Camden  expedition  in  April,  1864.)  On  the  13th  the  com 
mand  returned  to  camp,  having  marched  two  hundred  miles. 

The  above  cited  expeditions  are  but  fair  examples  of  the 
amount  of  marching  and  duty  performed  during  the  months  of 
October,  November  and  December — marching  during  these 
months  an  aggregate  of  more  than  eight  thousand  (8,000)  miles. 
The  men  were  on  constant  duty,  many  of  them  performing  their 
duties  without  overcoats  and  other  necessary  clothing.  In  the 
latter  part  of  December  many  of  the  horses  died  of  overwork 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  143 

and  starvation.  A  sufficient  amount  of  forage  was  not  fur 
nished. 

During  the  year  124  recruits  were  sent  from  the  State  to  the 
regiment. 

The  most  notable  event  of  the  year  was  the  issuing  of  the 
Emancipation  Proclamation,  on  January  1st,  by  President  Lin 
coln.  By  one  stroke  of  that  master  hand,  three  millions  o*f 
human  beings  "rose  as  men  who  laid  them  down  as  slaves/' 
By  that  act  he  bade  them  go  forth  and  "heal  with  freedom 
what  your  slavery  cursed."  As  long  as  history  finds  a  place 
in  a  nation's  archives,  so  long  will  that  act  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
and  the  subsequent  events  be  found  written  upon  its  brightest 
pages. 

Thus  closed  the  year  1863.  At  this  time  it  will  be  proper  to 
resume  the  personal  history  of  the  regiment  from  the  time  of 
leaving  Clinton,  Missouri,  in  September,  1862,  to  this  time. 

The  resignations  of  field  and  staff  officers  were  as  follows  : 
Colonel  James  O.  Gower,  Lieutenant  Colonel  P.  Gael  Bryan, 
Major  E.  W.  Chamberlain,  Assistant  Surgeon  I).  B.  Allen, 
promoted  to  Surgeon  Thirtieth  Regiment  Iowa  Infantry,  Assist 
ant  Surgeon  J.  A.  Ladd,  Chaplain  James  W.  Latham,  Adju 
tant  D.  A.  Kerr,  because  of  disability  from  wound  received  at 
Big  Creek  Cliffs,  near  Pleasant  Hill,  Missouri. 

Those  of  the  line  were  as  follows  :  Captains  Philip  E.  Sha 
ver,  Company  E,  J.  D.  Thompson,  Company  G,  Riley  West- 
coatt.  Company  H,  and  H.  H.  Heath,  Company  L ;  First 
Lieutenants  John  A.  Bishop,  Company  A,  and  James  Crissy, 
Company  M  ;  Second  Lieutenant  A.  L.  Freeman,  Company  K. 

The  promotions  were  as  follows  :  Major  Daniel  Anderson 
to  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Colonel  ;  Major  J.  W.  Caldwell  to 
Lieutenant  Colonel ;  Captains  A.  G.  McQueen,  Company  A. 
Levi  Chase,  Company  C,  and  William  Thompson,  Company  E, 
to  Majors  ;  Additional  Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  H.  Lothrop 
to  Assistant  Surgeon  ;  Dr.  John  A.  Ladd  to  Assistant  Surgeon 


1  44  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

from  Hospital  Steward,  Twenty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry,  (resigned 
a  few  months  afterward);  Quartermaster  Sergeant  John  A. 
Donnell  to  Adjutant ;  Quartermaster  Sergeant  Samuel  C.  Dick- 
erson  to  Quartermaster,  (killed  by  guerillas  in  Arkansas,  Octo 
ber  28th,  1862);  Sergeant  Glaus  H.  Albers,  Company  A,  to 
Quartermaster. 

Among  the  line  officers  as  follows :  Company  A — First 
Lieutenant  R.  M.  Reynolds  to  Captain ;  Second  Lieutenant 
John  R.  Marshall  and  Sergeant  John  L.  Russell  to  First  and 
Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  B— First  Lieutenant  S.  S.  Burdett  to  Captain ; 
Sergeants  J.  T.  Foster  and  H.  P.  Shifter  to  First  and  Second 
Lieutenants. 

Company  C — Second  Lieutenant  Thomas  Jones  to  First 
Lieutenant  and  Captain ;  Sergeant  Mathew  Ronaldson  to  Sec 
ond  and  First  Lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  William  A.  Clark  to 
Second  Lieutenant. 

Company  F — First  Lieutenant  Charles  Dustin  to  Captain ; 
Second  Lieutenant  Jacob  Hursh  to  First,  and  Sergeant  Charles 
W.  W.  Dow  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  G — First  Lieutenant  John  McDermott  to  Captain  ; 
Second  Lieutenant  Elkanah  S.  Foster  and  Sergeant  Solomon 
Smith  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  H — First  Lieutenant  William  S.  Whisenand  to 
Captain;  Second  Lieutenant  Albert  U.  McCormick  and  Ser 
geant  Samuel  T.  Craig  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  K — Sergeant  Hiram  H.  Sowles  to  Second  Lieu 
tenant, 

Company  L — First  Lieutenant  I).  C'.  Mclntyre  to  Captain : 
Second  Lieutenant  James  M.  Simeral  and  Sergeant  Warren  Y. 
Reeves  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  M — Second  Lieutenant  Edwin  A.  Dunham  and 
Sergeant  Solomon  Townsend  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Battalion  Adjutant  Joseph  S.  Edsall  was  mustered  out  as 
extra  Lieutenant,  Rev.  John  M.  Coggswell  was  commissioned 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  145 

as  Chaplain.  He  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  October  25th, 
1863.  Captain  William  E.  Leffingwell,  Company  B,  was  dis 
missed  the  service  through  the  influence  of  some  of  the  Mis 
souri  army  officers.  Immediately  after  the  war,  by  act  of  Con 
gress,  the  disability  was  removed,  and  the  proceedings  in  the 
case,  shown  to  be  malicious,  were  expunged  from  the  records. 
Second  Lieutenant  William  H.  DeFreest  was  dismissed  the 
service. 

First  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Raney,  Company  C,  died  at 
Springfield,  Missouri,  December  llth,  1862,  and  Thomas  A. 
Bereman  was  commissioned  Captain  Company  E  from  private 
life. 

NOTE.— Second  Lieutenant  W.  H.  DeFreest,  Company  B,  was  dismissed  the  service 
because  of  the  excessive  use  of  intoxicating  liquors.  Having  permanently  reformed,  he 
is  now  a  most  worthy  citizen.  Efforts  are  being  made  for  the  removal  of  his  disability. 


19 


1864. 

The  morning  of  January  1st,  1864,  dawned  upon  the  afflicted 
Nation  with  brighter  hopes  and  prospects  for  the  Union  cause. 
Many  important  battles  had  been  fought  and  won,  and  but  few 
lost,  and  it  was  evident  the  end  of  this  momentous  struggle  wan 
not  in  the  far  distant  future. 

In  the  latter  part  of  December,  1863,  under  an  act  of  Con 
gress  providing  that  all  officers  and  enlisted  men  who  were  then 
in  the  three  years'  service,  and  who  had  at  the  date  of  re-enlist 
ment  less  than  one  year  to  serve,  might  re-enlist  at  once  for 
three  years  or  during  the  war  from  date  of  re-enlistment,  and  a 
bounty  of  $402  to  be  paid  to  all  enlisted  men.  Knowing  full 
well  that  the  war  was  not  at  an  end,  that  the  Nation  was  still 
imperilled,  and  that  the  thrones  and  serfdoms  of  the  old  world 
were  anxiously  awaiting  this  particular  event  in  the  affairs  of 
our  country,,  hoping  that  the  old  soldiers  wrould  refuse  to  re- 
enlist  and  be  disbanded,  that  this  action  on  the  part  of  the  old 
soldiers  would  so  weaken  the  cause  of  freedom,  justice  and  hu 
manity  that  the  iron  hand  of  oppression  could  be  stretched 
forth  and  the  convulsed  Republic  throttled  in  its  struggle  for 
National  life  and  liberty.  But  no  such  dire  calamity  was  to 
take  place.  The  fires  of  patriotism  kindled  in  '61  burned 
afresh,  and  at  the  close  of  January.  1864,  among  thousands  of 
other  patriots  more  than  live  hundred  of  the  brave  old  regiment 
had  responded  to  their  country's  call  for  continued  assistance, 
making  it  a  veteran  organization. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  by  Congress  in  recogni- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  147 

tion  of  the  patriotism  and  devotion  to  country  of  our  citizen 
soldiery : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

WASHINGTON,  March  8th,  1864. 
GENERAL  OEDERS  No.  88. 

The  following  joint  resolutions  of  Congress  are  published  for  the 
information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned  : 

PUBLIC  RESOLUTION  No.  15. 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  OF  THANKS  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  VOLUNTEER  SOLDIERS  WHO 
HAVE  RE-ENLISTED  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Be  it  Resolved  hy  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  are  hereby  given  to  those 
noble  and  brave  men  who,  having  already  so  gallantly  endured  the  hardships  and  perils 
of  war  for  more  than  two  years  in  support  of  their  country's  flag,  present  the  sublime 
spectacle  of  again  voluntarily  enrolling  themselves  in  the  Army  of  the  Union  for  another 
three  years'  campaign  or  so  long  as  the  war  shall  continue. 

SEC.  2.  And  he  it  further  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  of  War  cause  these  resolu 
tions  to  be  read  to  each  of  the  Veteran  Regiments  who  have  re-enlisted  or  shall  re-enlist 
in  both  the  volunteer  and  regular  forces  of  the  United  States. 

Approved  March  3d.  1864. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

W.  A.  NICHOLS. 

Official :  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

GUY  S.  ALEXANDER.  Asst.  Adjt.  Genl. 

On  February  llth  our  old  cavalry  commander,  Brigadier 
General  J.  W.  Davidson,  was  relieved  of  his  command  of  the 
cavalry  division  and  ordered  to  another  field  of  duty.  Follow 
ing  is  his  farewell  order  to  the  old  soldiers  of  his  division  : 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

SEVENTH  ARMY  CORPS. 

LITTLE  ROCK,  ARKANSAS.  February  llth,  1864. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  3. 

The  undersigned  is  relieved,  by  authority  from  the  headquarters  of 
the  army,  of  the  command  of  the  cavalry  division  which  he  has  com 
manded  so  long1  as  the  First  Cavalry  Division  of  the  Department  of  the 
Missouri. 

It  is  with  a  full  heart,  my  comrades,  that  I  bid  you  good-bye.  I  feel 
that  we  have  known  each  other  long-  enough  never  to  forget  the  ties 

which  have  bound  us  together. 

J.  W.  DAVIDSON,  Brigadier  General. 

General  Davidson  was  superseded  by  Brigadier  General  E. 
A.  Can-. 


148  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

About  this  time  Major  General   Steele,  commanding  the  De 
partment  of  the  Arkansas,  was  preparing  for  what  is  known  as 
the  "Camden  Expedition."     It  was  a  demonstration  in  favor 
of,  if  not  for  actually  uniting  with  General  Banks'  forces,  on 
Red  r,iver.     Waiving  its  right  to  a  veteran  furlough  at  this  time, 
the  regiment  joined  the  expedition  and  took  a  prominent  part 
in  all  the  operations  of  that  campaign.     About  350  of  the  men, 
who  had  unfortunately  lost  their  horses  during  the  preceding 
winter  on  account  of  the  great  scarcity  of  forage  and  severity  of 
the  weather,  and  unable  to  procure  others,  were  organized  as  a 
' fc  Dismounted  Battalion ' '    of  the    regiment   and   marched   as 
infantry.     Brigadier  General   E.  A.  Carr  was  in  command  of 
the  cavalry  division.     Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  W.  Caldwell,  First 
Iowa  Cavalry,  was  in  command  of  the  Third  Brigade,  of  which 
the  regiment  formed  a  part.      Captain  James  P.  Crosby,  Com 
pany  M,  was  in  command  of  the  mounted  portion,  and  Captain 
Thomas  Jones,  Company  C,  in  command  of  the  "dismounted" 
portion  of  the  regiment.     The  "dismounted"  portion  was  di 
vided  into  four  companies,  each  in  command  of  a  First  Lieu 
tenant.      Lieutenants  A.   U.   McCormick,   Company  H,   Amos 
Dilley,  Company  I,    Charles  F.  Keeler,   Company  K,  and  Ed 
win  A.  Dunham,  Company  M,  were  assigned  to  the  command. 
Soon  afterward  Captain  Jones  was  taken   sick  and   Lieutenant 
Dilley  assumed  command. 

Surgeon  M.  B.  Cochran  had  been  appointed  Medical  Direc 
tor  of  the  army,  which  was  now  designated  as  the  Seventh 
Army  Corps  ;  and  Dr.  J.  J.  Saunders,  who  had  been  recently 
promoted  from  Hospital  Steward  to  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the 
regiment,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  "Dismounted  Battalion." 
Brigadier  General  Thayer,  with  a  force  of  about  five  thous 
and  (5,000)  men  at  Fort  Smith,  had  been  ordered  to  join  Gen 
eral  Steele  on  this  expedition,  but  on  account  of  the  severe  rain 
storms  and  bad  roads  he  did  not  arrive  at  the  appointed  time  ; 
and  on  Wednesday  morning,  March  23d,  Colonel  Daniel  An 
derson  having  been  placed  in  command  of  the  post  at  Little 


HISTOEY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  149 

Rock,  by  order  of  General  Steele,  this  army  corps,  consisting 
of  albout  seven  thousand  (7,000)  men — infantry,  artillery  and 
cavalry — marched  without  General  Thayer's  division. 

It  left  Little  Rock  by  the  way  of  the  military  road  leading 
south  from  Little  Rock  to  Washington,  the  county  seat  of 
Hampstead  county,  and  beyond.  The  first  skirmish  had  with 
the  enemy  was  at  Benton,  the  county  seat  of  Saline  county, 
about  twenty-five  miles  distant  southwest  from  Little  Rock. 
Our  advance  guard  attacked  a  company  of  the  enemy  on  out 
post  duty  at  that  place.  A  rapid,  disorganized  retreat  to  the 
timber  was  the  result.  It  was  near  this  town  that  Assistant 
Surgeon  Lothrop,  who  was  out  with  his  Hospital  Steward, 
flames  Hervey,  in  quest  of  supplies  for  the  hospital,  took  the 
first  prisoner  of  the  campaign.  He  was  one  of  the  enemy  driven 
out  of  Benton  by  our  advance  guard,  and  with  him  a  rebel  mail 
pouch  containing  a  large  number  of  letters  for  the  ; '  Southern 
Confederacy. 1 '  After  leaving  Benton  the  regiment  was  much 
of  the  time  in  the  extreme  advance,  skirmishing  with  the  ene 
my  every  day.  Noting  a  few  of  the  engagements  as  examples 
will  suffice.  March  9th,  near  Arkadelphia.  April  2d,  at 
Spoonville.  April  3d,  near  the  town  of  Antoine;  3d  and  4th, 
Elkins'  Ford  ;  10th  and  12th,  at  Prairie  D'Anne  ;  14th,  White 
Oak  Creek  ;  15th,  Camden  Cross  Roads  and  the  capture  of  Cam- 
den  ;  25th,  Moro  Creek  ;  30th,  Jenkins  Ferry,  on  the  Saline 
river.  In  the  skirmish  near  Arkadelphia,  March  29th,  result 
ing  in  driving  the  enemy  from  the  town,  our  loss  was  two  men 
wounded — J.  W.  Hardin  and  George  W.  VanOrsdel,  Corporals 
of  Company  E.  Hardin  was  taken  prisoner.  April  2d,  at 
Spoonville,  (called  also  Greenville,  Antoine  Creek  and  Wolf 
Creek,)  it  met  General  CabelFs  force  of  1,600  men,  defeating 
them  and  pursuing  them  in  a  running  fight  for  a  distance  of 
five  miles  to  a  place  on  Wolf  creek.  In  this  skirmish  our  loss 
was  three  men  wounded  and  one  missing — Theodore  Y.  Creamer 
and  John  M.  Macklin,  Company  I,  and  John  Gay  das,  Company 
K,  wounded,  and  Duncan  McDonald,  Company  B,  missing. 


150  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Mackin  was  mortally  wounded  and  died  the  same  day.  Cream 
er  was  .severely  wounded  and  died  at  Camden  a  short  time  after 
ward.  The  engagement  at  the  ' '  Good  Crossing  * '  of  the  Little 
Missouri  river,  (town  of  Antoine,)  was  a  most  successful  strate 
gic  movement  on  the  part  of  General  Steele.  It  was  accom 
plished  as  follows  :  Until  the  command  camped  at  Spoonville 
it  had  marched  upon  the  road  leading  to  Washington,  Hemp- 
stead  county,  called  the  military  road.  About  seventeen  miles 
northeast  of  Washington  the  Little  Missouri  river  crosses  this 
4 '  military' ;  road.  At  this  point  there  is  an  excellent  fording 
place.  General  Marmaduke,  supposing  that  General  Steele 
would  continue  the  march  upon  this  road,  concentrated  a  large 
force  at  this  place  to  oppose  the  crossing  of  the  ford.  By  this 
concentration  of  his  forces,  Marmaduke  had  been  obliged  to 
leave  but  a  small  picket  force  to  guard  other  fords  and  4 1  cross 
ings  ' '  a  few  miles  distant  down  the  river. 

There  is  a  good  ' '  neighborhood ' '  road  leading  from  Spoonville 
by  the  way  of  Okalona  to  Elkins1  Ford  on  the  Little  Missouri 
river,  a  few  miles  below  the  ' ;  Good  Crossing ' '  on  the  military 
road.  There  is  also  another  good  road  leading  from  the  mili 
tary  road,  at  a  point  near  Wolf  creek,  about  five  miles  south 
from  Spoonville,  and  about  the  same  distance  north  from  the 
towrn  of  Antoine,  leading  to  the  little  town  of  Terre  Noir,  on  the 
Spoonville  and  Okalona  road. 

It  would  have  been  very  gratifying  to  General  Marmaduke 
if  General  Steele  had  continued  his  march  upon  the  military 
road.  But  General  Steele  had  a  plan  of  his  own,  which  was 
destined  to  bring  disappointment  and  confusion  to  Marmaduke. 
Taking  advantage  of  the  concentration  of  Marmaduke's  forces 
at  the  ' l  Good  Crossing ' '  and  the  insignificant  protection  of  the 
other  fords,  he  decided  to  leave  the  military  road  at  Spoonville 
and  take  the  neighborhood  road  to  Okalona  and  Elkins'  Ford, 
a  few  miles  below  the  good  crossing.  In  accordance  with  this 
plan,  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  a  detachment  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry  was  ordered  out  on  the  military  road  to  engage  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  151 

attention  of  the  enemy,  while  the  army  marched  on  the  road 
leading  to  Elkins'  Ford.  So  successfully  was  this  movement 
made  that  the  advance  of  our  army  was  in  possession  of  the 
ford  before  Marmaduke  was  aware  that  there  was  any  attempt 
being  made  to  gain  possession  of  it.  The  detachment  of  the 
regiment  met  the  pickets  of  the  enemy  near  Wolf  Creek.  A 
skirmish  ensued,  and  the  enemy  slowly  retreated  until  a  place 
south  of  the  road  leading  to  Terre  Noir,  at  or  near  the  town  of 
Antoine  at  the  ' '  good  crossing, ' '  was  reached.  Here  a  deter 
mined  skirmish  was  kept  up  for  some  time  in  the  seeming  en 
deavor  to  gain  possession  of  the  ford — after  which,  having 
sufficiently  amused  General  Marmaduke  and  his  force,  with  the 
loss  of  but  one  man  slightly  wounded  (name  unknown),  the 
detachment  was  returned  by  the  way  of  the  Terre  Noir  road  to 
the  army. 

General  Marmaduke,  in  his  report  of  his  operations  against 
Steele  in  this  expedition,  thus  relates  his  "sad  taking  in''  by 
General  Steele  upon  this  occasion  :  "At  two  o'clock  p.  M.  the 
march  of  the  enemy  was  partially  developed — he  had  taken  the 
road  to  Okalona.  Simultaneously  almost  with  this  information 
the  small  picket  which  had  been  stationed  at  Elkins1  Ford  gal 
loped  up  to  inform  me  that  the  enemy  had  occupied  that  ford 
with  a  small  force/1 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  3d  the  regiment  with  other  regi 
ments  crossed  the  river  at  Elkins'  Ford,  and  skirmished  with 
the  enemy.  On  the  morning  of  the  4th  a  severe  engagement 
took  place  with  Generals  Cabell's  and  Greene's  brigades,  com 
manded  by  General  Marmaduke  in  person.  Our  force  of  about 
300  men  was  in  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  F.  M.  Drake, 
Thirty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry.  The  engagement  commenced  in 
the  early  morning  and  continued  until  noon,  resulting  in  defeat 
and  great  loss  to  the  enemy.  Our  total  loss  was  thirty-one 
wounded,  eleven  of  whom  were  from  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry, 
as  follows :  Private  George  Sackett,  Company  C  ;  Sergeant 
Araham  J.  Reeves  and  private  Edwin  Messinger,  Company  D  ; 


152  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

privates  John  Smith  and  Andrew  Patterson,  Company  E  ; 
Lieutenant  Charles  W.  W.  Dow  and  Corporal  Stephen  Baker, 
Company  F  ;  Corporals  Victor  Gilbert  and  Frank  Talty,  farrier 
Purdy  M.  Byerly,  and  private  John  Vest,  Company  G.  Pri 
vate  Benjamin  H.  Hall  was  taken  prisoner.  Sergeant  Reeves 
was  mortally  wounded  and  died  the  same  day.  Private  Edwin 
Messinger  was  severely  wounded  and  died  at  Camden  April 
24th.  Private  John  Smith  was  mortally  wounded  and  died  on 
the  6th.  Corporal  Victor  Gilbert  was  mortally  wounded  and 
died  the  next  day.  Private  John  Vest  was  severely  wounded 
and  died  on  the  15th.  The  enemy  acknowledged  a  loss  of  more 
than  fifty  wounded,  and  eighteen  newly  made  graves  within 
sight  of  our  camp  indicated  that  at  least  that  number  were 
killed. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Drake,  in  his  report  of  the  engagement, 
makes  favorable  mention  of  Lieutenants  Ronaldson,  Company 
C,  Walker,  Company  D,  Dow,  Company  F,  and  McCormick, 
Company  H,  and  of  his  orderlies,  privates  George  Barr  and 
Harvey  Clingfield,  Company  C,  all  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 
At  this  place  the  dismounted  portion  of  the  regiment  were  for 
the  first  time  ordered  to  the  front,  which  position  they  retained 
v.ntil  the  capture  of  the  city  of  Camden. 

Following  is  a  copy  of  the  official  report  of  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Drake  : 

CAMP  36TH  IOWA  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY, 
NEAR  ELKINS'  FORD,  ARKANSAS,  April  6th,  1864. 
CAPTAIN  W.  E.  WHITHREDGE, 

A.  A.  A.  Gen.  2d  Brigade,  3d  Div.,  7th  A.  C.: 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following-  report  of  the  part  of 
the  detachment  under  my  command  in  the  battle  of  Elkins1  Ford,  on 
the  Little  Missouri  river,  Arkansas,  on  the  3d  and  4th  inst.  By  order 
of  Colonel  William  F.  McLean,  commanding  Second  Brigade,  about  five 
o'clock  P.  M.,  on  the  3d  inst.,  in  command  of  three  companies  of  the 
Forty-third  Indiana  Infantry,  I  proceeded  along  the  road  running  per 
pendicular  from  the  ford  through  the  woods  to  the  front,  and  took  a  posi 
tion  about  a  hundred  paces  in  rear  of  the  picket  post  on  the  road, 
behind  a  deserted  orchard.  The  picket  post,  composed  of  about  one 


THOS.     S.     HELLER 

Co.  "G," 
MENOMONIE,  Wis. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  153 

hundred  men  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Captain  Mc- 
Intyre,  I  found  on  my  arrival  was  skirmishing1  with  the  advance  pickets 
of  the  enemy. 

I  immediately  went  forward  among  the  line  of  skirmishers  until  I 
could  observe  the  enemy's  movements,  and  from  close  observation  soon 
became  satisfied  that  they  were  in  considerable  force  and  were  covering- 
preparations  to  attack  us  next  morning-.  I  at  once  apprised  Colonel  Mc 
Lean  concerning'  my  apprehensions,  who  immediately  sent  to  my  sup 
port  Lieut.  Peetz,  with  a  section  of  lig-ht  artillery,  and  ordered  me  to 
assume  command  of  all  the  forces  to  the  front,  deploy  my  men  on  the 
rig-ht  and  left  of  the  road,  and,  if  attacked,  to  hold  my  position  as  long- 
as  I  thought  prudent,  and  fall  back  on  the  reserves.  The  cavalry  post, 
now  composed  of  Companies  C  and  D,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  commanded 
by  Lieutenants  Ronaldson  and  Walker,  (who  had  at  this  time  relived 
Captain  Mclntyre, )  covered  about  two  hundred  paces  of  our  front  with 
cavalry  videttes,  and  I  deployed  Companies  D,  G  and  A,  Thirty-sixth 
Iowa,  on  the  rig-ht  of  the  road,  at  intervals  of  one  hundred  paces  be 
tween  companies,  making-  D  my  center,  placed  at  the  road.  I  deployed 
Companies  E,  H  and  C,  Forty-third  Indiana,  at  same  company  intervals 
on  the  left  of  the  road,  the  battery  taking-  position  about  two  hundred 
paces  in  rear  of  my  center,  and  thrown  well  forward,  and  to  my  flanks 
a  strong-  infantry  picket.  I  ordered  each  company  to  keep  up  a  few 
watchers,  the  balance  to  sleep  on  their  arms  until  four  o'clock  the  next 
morning-,  when  all  should  get  up  and  breakfast  before  daylight.  I 
ordered  the  cavalry,  as  soon  as  attacked,  to  dismount  and  send  all  their 
horses  to  the  rear.  Soon  after  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  inst. . 
the  enemy  engaged  the  cavalry  pickets,  and  almost  simultaneously  made  a 
determined  effort  to  turn  my  left  flank.  I  met  them  on  the  left  with 
Companies  H  and  C  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  ordered  Company  I). 
Captain  Hale,  to  move  forward  and  deploy  to  support  the  cavalry.  I 
immediately  discovered  the  enemy  entering  the  orchard  in  heavy  force 
in  line  of  battle,  and  moved  forward  Companies  G  and  E  on  a  line  with 
I).  The  engagement  was  now  becoming  very  warm,  and  my  men  were 
falling  wounded  right  and  left,  but  by  a  very  determined  effort  we 
finally  succeeded  in  driving  back  the  rebel  column  into  the  woods  in 
front  of  the  orchard.  I  immediately  dispatched  an  orderly  to  Colonel 
McLean,  informing  him  that  we  were  engaged  with  about  two  thousand 
of  the  enemy,  and  calling  for  reinforcements.  A  strong  effort  was  now 
made  by  the  enemy  to  turn  my  right  flank,  when  I  moved  forward 
Company  A.  Captain  Porter,  deployed  to  protect  it.  My  whole  force 

20 


154  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

was  now  deployed,  covering-  the  enemy's  front,  and  the  engagement  was 
general  along  my  entire  line.  I  now  called  upon  Lieutenant  Peetz  to 
open  upon  them  with  his  battery,  which  he  had  barely  commenced  do 
ing  when  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  with  four  field  pieces,  and  for  near 
one  hour  from  this  time  the  engagement  on  both  sides  was  severe. 

With  a  force  of  about  three  hundred  men,  we  were  contending  against 
Generals  Cabell's  and  Greene's  brigades,  commanded  by  General  Mar- 
maduke  in  person.  My  officers  and  men,  without  exception,  fought 
with  desperation,  and  we  succeeded  in  checking  the  enemy  and  holding 
a  position  about  fifty  paces  in  rear  of  our  old  line.  A  lull  then  ensued 
of  some  minutes,  taking  advantage  of  which  1  ordered  my  line  to  ad 
vance  to  our  old  position  and  take  the  men's  knapsacks,  which  had  been 
left  on  the  ground  where  we  encamped,  now  in  possession  of  the  enemy. 
The  men  went  forward,  retook  their  knapsacks,  and  Company  D,  Cap 
tain  Hale,  captured,  while  doing  so.  Lieutenant  Fackler.  an  aide-de 
camp  of  General  Marmaduke.  We  were  now  again  in  possession  of  the 
ground  held  by  us  at  the  commencement  of  the  engagement,  and  were 
fully  assured  from  appearances  that  so  far  the  enemy  had  received  more 
than  he  bargained  for.  Fearing  the  enemy  were  posting  artillery  on 
fianks  to  enfilade  us,  or  in  position  to  give  us  a  raking  cross-fire.  I  or 
dered  Captain  Porter  on  my  right  and  Lieutenant  Holman  on  my  left  to 
advance  a  few  skirmishers  to  their  front  and  flank  to  feel  for  the  enemy. 
They  had  not  advanced  far  until  they  were  both  engaged.  The  enemy 
had  posted  a  piece  of  artillery  in  front  of  each  of  my  flanks,  and  with 
a  cross-fire  and  a  direct  fire  from  his  four  pieces  of  artillery  commenced 
raking  the  woods  with  solid  shot,  grape  and  shell,  while  his  combined 
forces  in  one  continuous  line  rushed  upon  us.  firing  volleys  of  musketry 
and  yelling  like  demons.  For  some  time  we  held  a  perfect  line,  falling 
back  slowly,  and  contesting  every  inch  of  ground,  expecting  support, 
until  my  line  on  the  left  of  the  road,  being  forced  into  an  open  field. 
gave  way  entirely,  and  fell  back  on  their  reserves.  I  now  determined  to 
hold  my  position  on  the  right  of  the  road  at  all  hazards  until  reinforced. 
I  succeeded  in  doing  so.  and  after  several  hours'  hard  fighting  finally 
repulsed  the  enemy,  but  not  without  considerable  loss.  About  the  time 
my  left  gave  way.  Colonel  Kittredge  took  a  position  with  the  balance  of 
the  Thirty-sixth  Iowa  in  rear  of  the  field  and  repulsed  the  enemy's 
charge  on  my  left.  During  the  engagement,  which  lasted  until  near 
noon  with  my  detachment,  the  cavalry  was  commanded  by  Lieutenants 
Walker.  Ronaldson,  McCormick  and  Dow.  First  Iowa  Cavalry;  the  ar 
tillery  by  Lieutenant  Peetz,  Second  Missouri  Light  Artillery;  Companies 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  155 

A.  G  and  D?  Thirty-sixth  Iowa,  by  Captains  Porter,  Fee  and  Hale,  and 
Lieutenants  Baird,  Pearson  and  Burnbaum  ;  Companies  E,  H  and  C, 
Forty-third  Indiana,  by  Lieutenants  Thompson,  Cooper  and  Holman  : 
.and  I  cannot  but  express  the  highest  commendations  for  the  coolness 
and  bravery  they  exhibited  during  this  terrible  and  unequal  contest, 
and  the  men  proved  themselves  all  heroes.  Privates  George  Barr  and 
Henry  J.  Clingfield.  Company  C,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  acted  as  my  order 
lies  during  the  engagemement,  and  were  of  great  service  ;  they  are  good 
and  brave  soldiers. 

The  casualties  of  my  detachment  are  one  officer.  Lieutenant  Dow. 
slightly  wounded  in  head,  and  thirty  men  wounded — eleven  of  them 
supposed  mortally,  several  of  whom  have  since  died.  The  proportion 
is  twelve  from  the  Thirty-sixth  Iowa,  eleven  from  the  First  Iowa  Cav 
alry,  four  from  the  Forty-third  Indiana,  and  three  from  the  Second 
Missouri  Light  Artillery — a  list  of  which  will  be  reported  by  the  regi 
mental  commanders. 

I  am,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

F.  M.  DRAKE. 
Li.  Col.  36th  Iowa  Infantry, 
Comdg.  Detachment  fiecond   Brigade. 

From  this  time  until  the  1.0th  the  inarch  was  slow,  with  con 
stant  skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  tbe  regiment  having  the 
advance.  April  5th,  6th  and  7th,  the  army  having  crossed  the 
river,  remained  near  the  ford.  On  the  6th  a  brisk  skirmish 
took  place,  about  five  miles  distant  from  the  ford,  in  which  the 
rebels  suffered  a  loss  of  twenty-three  wounded,  six  mortally, 
and  six  killed.  At  this  time  a  Corps  Field  Hospital  was  organ 
ized,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  was  ordered  to  report  for 
duty  with  it/  On  the  7th  the  enemy  was  reinforced  by  General 
Price  with  Dockery's  and  Crawford's  brigades  and  Wood's  bat 
talion  from  the  force  on  Ked  river,  General  Banks  having  met 
with  a  most  disastrous  defeat. 

On  the  9th  Brigadier  General  Thayer  with  his  force  from 
Fort  Smith  arrived.  In  a  skirmish  near  Prairie  D'Anne  Ser 
geant  George  M.  Mack  and  private  Augustus  Dunn,  Company 
H,  were  wounded.  On  the  10th  our  cavalry  reached  Prairie  1)' 


156  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Anne.  Prairie  IT  Anne  is  a  large  and  beautiful  prairie  fourteen 
miles  in  length  and  eight  miles  in  breadth,  situated  in  the  east 
ern  part  of  Hempstead  county,  about  sixteen  miles  distant  in  M 
southerly  direction  from  Elkins'  Ford,  on  the  road  leading  from 
the  ford  to  the  Camden  and  Washington  road.  The  road  lead 
ing  from  Washington  to  Camden  crosses  this  prairie  near  its 
southern  border.  On  the  middle  and  southern  portion  there  is 
a  series  of  high  ridges  covered  with  timber.  Upon  these  ridges 
the  enemy  had  constructed  a  low  breastwork  of  logs  for  defense. 
The  road  leading  from  the  ford  to  this  prairie  was  exceedingly 
rough  and  hilly,  with  heavy  timber  and  dense  underbrush  on 
either  side,  causing  necessarily  a  cautious  and  slow  march.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  10th  the  regiment,  with  other  regiments,  en 
countered  the  enemy  in  a  growth  of  timber  on  the  northern  bor 
der  of  the  prairie  and  drove  him  from  the  woods  to  his  intrench- 
ments  upon  the  ridge.  A  brisk  fight  was  kept  up  until  about 
ten  o'clock  p.  M.  with  artillery  and  small  arms.  At  that  time 
General  Marmaduke  with  his  force  charged  our  line,  but  was 
speedily  repulsed.  During  the  night  engagement  the  sheets  of 
lurid  flame  from  the  guns,  the  bursting  shells,  and  the  flashing 
of  small  arms,  produced  a  most  grand  pyrotechnic  display. 

On  the  morning  of  the  llth  General  Steele  with  his  army  in 
line  of  battle  advanced  into  the  open  prairie.  In  the  distance, 
at  the  south,  confronting  him,  was  the  rebel  force  in  line  of 
battle.  It  was  a  most  magnificent  spectacle  ;  one  scarcely  or 
never  witnessed,  and  when  once  seen  will  never  be  forgotten. 
Skirmishers  were  in  front,  batteries  in  position,  cavalry  upon 
the  flanks,  with  serried  ranks  of  bristling  steel  marching  in 
double  columns,  with  bands  of  martial  music  playing,  and  the 
glorious  old  star  spangled  banner  unfurled  and  floating  in  the 
breeze,  in  anticipation  of  a  battle  and  resultant  victory. 

And  the  enemy,  with  an  equal  or  superior  force,  displayed 
equal  care  and  precision  in  the  formation  of  his  lines.  No  bat 
tle  however  occurred,  but  brisk  skirmishing  was  continued 
along  the  lines,  resulting  in  driving  his  skirmishers  back  about 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  157 

two  miles.  At  night  our  forces  returned  to  their  former  posi 
tion.  During  the  day  the  regiment  lost  three  men  wounded— 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell  slightly.  Corporal  Clayborne  F. 
Driscoll,  Company  A,  mortally — he  died  the  same  day,  and 
private  Amos  Andrews,  Company  L,  severely.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  and  died  at  Camden,  May  2d.  On  the  morning  of  the 
12th  the  regiment  was  again  in  the  advance  in  the  attack  upon 
the  rebel  works,  and  was  the  first  to  enter  them,  to  find  them 
deserted  and  the  enemy  once  more  upon  the  retreat.  Crossing 
the  Terre  Rouse  creek,  the  regiment  advanced  to  the  Washing- 
ington  and  Camden  road,  and  held  that  place  until  the  army 
reached  that  road,  and  was  marching  upon  Camden. 

On  the  13th  we  were  marching  through  the  swamps  of  Ca 
nary  creek. 

On  the  14th,  in  a  skirmish  at  White  Oak  creek,  a  small 
branch  of  Cypress  Bayou,  the  regiment  lost  one  man  wounded, 
private  John  Hillery,  Company  C.  He  died  April  25th  at 
Camden. 

At  seven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  the  dismounted 
portion  of  the  regiment  having  performed  picket  duty  during 
the  preceding  night,  engaged  the  enemy  within  four  hundred 
yards  of  their  picket  post,  at  a  place  called  ^  Camden  Cross 
Roads,1'  about  fifteen  miles  distant  west  from  Camden  on  the 
Camden  and  Washington  road,  near  the  little  hamlet  of  Liberty. 
The  enemy  was  driven  back  for  a  distance  of  six  miles,  at 
which  time  portions  of  the  Twenty-ninth  and  Thirty-third  Regi 
ments  Iowa  Infantry,  with  the  Second  Missouri  Light  Artillery, 
and  the  mounted  portion  of  the  regiment,  were  ordered  up  and 
engaged  in  the  fight.  Soon  afterward  the  skirmish  developed 
into  a  warm  engagement,  and  the  enemy  was  steadily  driven 
back  to  and  through  the  city  of  Camden,  resulting  in  the  capv 
ture  of  the  city  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day.  The  regiment 
lost  one  man  wounded,  private  Jerome  Carpenter,  Company  H. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  engagement  is  from 
Mr.  E.  J.  Smith,  now  residing  at  Sedalia,  Mo.  He  was  at  that 


158  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

time  a  member  of  Company  B,  and  one  of  the  k  w  Foot  Battalion:' ' 
4 '  The  dismounted  battalion  of  First  Iowa  Cavalry  was  put 
in  advance.  We  deployed  as  skirmishers  right  at  our  picket 
post.  (I  was  one  of  the  dismounted  ones.)  Within  four  hun 
dred  yards  of  our  post  we  drove  in  their  pickets  and  skirmished 
with  them,  driving  them  about  six  miles.  We  were  then  called 
in  and  an  infantry  line  of  skirmishers  placed  in  advance;  then 
we  were  assembled  and  massed  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road, 
in  support  of  one  section  of  a  battery  of  mountain  howitzers 
belonging  to  the  Ninth  Missouri  Infantry,  which  marched  on 
the  road  and  shelled  the  enemy  on  several  occasions.  We 
marched  but  a  little  way  in  this  manner,  when  the  enemy  halted 
us  by  opening  on  us  with  a  full  battery  of  field  guns  at  four 
hundred  yards,  well  supported  by  dismounted  cavalry.  Gen 
eral  Rice  at  this  time  brought  up  a  brigade  of  infantry  and  a 
field  battery,  and  after  an  artillery  duel  lasting  perhaps  an  hour 
the  rebels  were  dislodged.  While  this  was  going  on  the 
mounted  First  Iowa  Cavalry  came  up  and  formed  lines  in  our 
rear,  and  may  be  skirmished  a  little  on  our  flanks — cannot  be 
certain.  We  entered  Camden  that  evening  at  dark/' 

Camden,  the  county  seat  of  Ouachita  county,  is  situated  upon 
the  west  bank  of  the  Ouachita  river.  It  was  a  large,  well  built 
town,  doing  quite  an  extensive  business,  and  was  a  large  depot 
of  supplies  for  the  rebel  army.  During  a  high  stage  of  water 
the  river  is  navigable  to  this  place  and  the  Red  river  steamboats 
are  frequently  seen  here.  On  the  approach  of  our  army  the 
supplies  at  this  place  were  partially  destroyed.  Immediately 
after  the  occupation  of  the  city  by  our  forces  a  General  Field 
Hospital  was  established  in  the  court  house,  a  large  and  commo 
dious  brick  building,  and  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  ordered  to 
duty  in  charge  of  it.  The  army  remained  here  until  the  27th 
on  constant  picket,  outpost  and  forage  duty.  On  the  17th  a 
detachment  of  the  regiment,  with  a  detachment  of  the  Third 
Missouri  Cavalry,  under  Major  Leonard  of  the  Third,  marched 
about  twenty  miles  down  the  Ouachita  river  and  captured  a 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  159 

steamboat  laden  with  corn  and  other  quartermaster  and  commis 
sary  supplies.  Lieutenant  J.  T.  Foster,  of  Company  B,  an 
old  Mississippi  river  steamboat  pilot,  took  the  "wheel"  and 
piloted  the  boat  back  to  Camden. 

On  the  18th,  Private  William  D.  Johnson,  Company  G,  was 
taken  prisoner.  In  our  engagements  writh  the  enemy  many  of 
the  men  were  severely  wounded,  and  a  number  died  in  hospital 
after  arriving  at  Camden.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  to  this 
time  is  reported  to  have  been  five  killed,  three  taken  prisoners 
and  twenty-five  wounded.  There  were,  however,  none  killed 
on  the  battlefield;  some  were  mortally  wounded  and  died  a  short 
time  afterward.  The  list  of  the  wounded  as  given  in  the  be 
fore  mentioned  engagements  is  imperfect,  and  all  sources  of 
information  have  been  exhausted  in  the  effort  to  obtain  a  com 
plete  list.  A  most  entertaining  sketch  of  the  adventures  of  the 
dismounted  members  of  the  regiment  by  John  B.  Martin,  now 
residing  at  Dysart,  Iowa,  a  member  of  Company  E,  and  who 
was  4  k  one  of  them, ' '  is  here  inserted  : 

ADVENTURES  OF  THE  DISMOUNTED  MEMBERS. 

The  winter  of  1863-4  was  one  of  unprecedented  severity.  The  Ar 
kansas  river  was  frozen  entirely  over  at  Little  Rock,  an  occurrence 
beyond  the  memory  of  the  ••  oldest  inhabitant1 '  in  the  past.  As  a  con 
sequence  of  the  severe  cold  and  exposure  glanders  raged  fearfully 
among  the  army  horses  and  mules,  and  thousands  fell  victims  to  this 
incurable  disease.  The  writer,  who,  with  others  of  the  regiment,  was 
detailed  that  winter  to  take  charge  of  the  government  canal,  lost  his 
own  horse  among  others  by  this  terrible  disease.  The  natural  result 
was  that  the  opening  of  spring  found  many  of  the  regiment  dismounted, 
besides  the  many  recruits  who  had  come  to  the  regiment  during  the 
winter,  who.  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  horses,  were  unable  to  supply 
themselves  ;  so  that  when  marching  orders  came  there  were  about  350 
of  our  regiment  dismounted.  Nothing  daunted,  however,  and  cheered 
by  the  promise  that  all  unbranded  horses  should  be  turned  over  to  us 
as  soon  as  captured,  (this  was  a  private  understanding  with  our  more 
fortunate  comrades. )  we  gaily  •  •  packed  our  traps11  for  the  trip.  And 
right  here  we  showed  our  ignorance  of  -'footing  it,"  for  we  packed  up 
everything,  and  when  in  line  looked  more  like  a  lot  of  Turkish  porters 


160  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

with  their  heavy  loads,  than  a  troop  of  men  just  starting-  on  an  extended 
march.  However,  it  did  not  take  us  long-  to  g-et  rid  of  superfluous  bag- 
g-ag-e,  and  the  roadside  a  few  miles  out  from  Little  Rock  would  have  af 
forded  fat  picking's  in  the  way  of  blankets,  overcoats  and  other  articles. 
And  thus  lig-htened,  thoug-h  unused  to  walking-,  we  held  our  own  credit 
ably  with  the  veteran  regiments  of  infantry  ;  indeed,  being-  as  we  were 
in  a  semi-indifferent  condition,  something-  like  "  Sherman's  bummers." 
we  traveled  many  more  miles  than  any  of  the  infantry,  for  we  scouted 
all  the  by-roads  on  the  way  for  hams  and  chickens,  and  our  efforts,  or 
at  least  those  of  the  writer,  were  abundantly  rewarded.  When  we  ar 
rived  at  the  Little  Missouri  we  were  for  the  first  time  put  in  the  skir 
mish  line,  and  from  that  time  till  we  entered  Camden,  the  General  com 
manding-  appeared  to  think  he  had  no  skirmishers  out  unless  we  were 
in  the  line — at  least,  we  were  always  there.  The  afternoon  of  the  10th 
of  April  we  struck  the  enemy  in  force  at  Prairie  D'Anne.  and  were 
placed  on  the  rig-ht  of  the  skirmish  line ;  we  quickly  cleared  the  woods 
and  compelled  the  enemy  to  retire  to  their  works  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  prairie.  Just  at  nig-ht  the  mounted  part  of  the  regiment  moved 
up  and  took  position  on  our  rig-ht.  or  at  least  part  of  it.  We  spent  the 
nig-ht  under  arms,  and  until  about  eleven  under  fire  from  a  rebel  sixty- 
four-pounder,  when  Rabb's  battery  dismounted  it  with  a  well  directed 
••broadside/'  Later  in  the  night  Marmaduke  attempted  to  charge  and 
capture  the  battery,  but  was  hurled  back  in  confusion.  Our  regiment 
supported  the  battery  on  the  rig-ht  and  the  Fiftieth  Indiana  on  the  left, 
and  the  way  we  issued  rations  of  lead  was  beautiful  to  see. 

At  daylight  of  the  llth  a  general  advance  was  ordered.  We,  still 
holding  the  right,  Salomon's  German  regiment,  the  Ninth  Wisconsin, 
on  our  left,  deployed  as  skirmishers.  We  advanced  steadily  and  rap 
idly  under  a  sharp  fire  from  the  enemy,  but  nothing  could  stop  us  and 
the  Johnnies  fell  sullenly  back.  And  here,  just  as  the  sun  was  rising 
in  unclouded  splendor,  I  saw  the  grandest  sight  that  my  eyes  ever  wit 
nessed.  About  a  thousand  yards  to  our  rear  our  entire  army  advanced 
into  the  open  prairie  in  line  of  battle.  The  prairie,  level  as  a  floor, 
showed  every  regiment  with  their  bayonets  glistening  in  the  morning- 
sun,  every  battle  flag  unfurled  and  proudly  waving  in  the  gentle  breeze. 
Groups,  of  general  and  staff  officers  hurrying  here  and  there,  making- 
final  dispositions  for  the  battle  that  we  fully  expected  would  soon  open. 
It  was  the  most  imposing  spectacle  I  ever  witnessed,  and  I  just  felt 
then  that  if  we  had  the  whole  Confederacy  in  our  front  we  could  "  lick 


f 


Lieut.  CLINTON  M.  TURNER,  Co.  C. 
Sergt.  CLEMENTINE  M.  BIRD,  Co.  E. 


Asst.  Surgeon  J.  A.  LADB. 
Lieut.  Col.  J.  W.  CALDAVELL 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  161 

them  out  of  their  boots."  And  I  guess  the  rebels  thought  so  too,  for  it 
was  a  race  for  over  two  miles,  and  they  outrun  us. 

The  writer  captured  a  smoking-  hot  lot  of  "dodgers,"  just  done  to  a 
turn,  which  in  the  hurry  of  their  flight  had  been  left  in  front  of  the  fire 
where  they  were  left  cooking  ;  and  as  two  hardtack  had  constituted  my 
rations  for  the  previous  thirty  hours,  you  may  imagine  how  gladly  I 
transferred  them  from  the  bark  of  the  cucumber  tree  (a  species  of  pop 
lar)  to  my  haversack. 

During  our  advance  a  laughable  incident  and  showing  ^the  spirit  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell  occurred.  As  we  were  approaching  the 
rebel  works,  the  Colonel  and  staff  rode  along  the  front  to  encourage  the 
men  and  see  that  everything  was  in  order  for  an  assault  if  it  became 
necessary.  Adjutant  Donnell  became  very  anxious  for  the  safety  of  the 
Colonel !  and  after  viewing  the  works  with  his  field-glass  said,  • '  Colon- 
nel,  it  is  reckless  to  ride  so  near  these  works,  for  by  the  aid  of  my 
tield-glass  I  can  see  that  they  are  just  swarming  with  rebels."  The 
Colonel  replied.  •  •  Adjutant,  as  my  eyes  are  not  as  good  as  yours,  and  I 
want  to  see  those  men,  we  will  ride  a  little  closer." 

From  Camden  Cross  Roads  till  we  entered  Camden  the  dismounted 
men  were  in  the  advance,  skirmishing  continually  with  the  rebel  rear 
guard  ;  there  we  had  a  short  rest.  On  the  16th  some  of  us  went  fishing 
in  the  Ouachita  river  and  caught  a  fine  lot  of  catfish  and  white  perch, 
which  afforded  an  agreeable  change  to  our  bill  of  fare.  On  the  16th, 
just  after  dinner,  orders  came  for  forty  of  us  to  go  and  bring  up  the 
.steamer  "  Homer  of  Virginia. "  which  had  been  captured  loaded  with 
corn  by  the  mounted  portion  of  the  regiment.  Of  course  we  could  ride 
back  on  the  .steamer  and  all  were  anxious  to  go.  The  writer  had  the 
luck  (?)  to  be  one  of  the  chosen,  and  we  lit  out  with  only  carbines  and 
revolvers,  for  of  course  we  would  find  rations  sufficient  on  the  boat  to 
do  us  back.  Well,  to  cut  it  short,  we  marched  twenty-two  miles  instead 
of  fifteen,  which  we  were  informed  was  the  distance,  and  at  night  found 
ourselves  in  sight  of  numerous  camp  fires— too  numerous  we  thought  to 
belong  to  our  regiment ;  and  a  little  careful  scouting  developed  the  fact 
that  we  were  in  sight  of  Joe  Shelby's  and  Marmaduke's  commands. 
From  a  colored  man  we  learned  that  our  regiment  had  taken  the  boat 
and  put  off  up  the  river  about  the  time  we  started,  and  as  they  had 
kept  along  the  bank  while  we  came  the  direct  road  we  had  missed  them. 
A  commotion  in  the  rebel  camps  gave  us  to  understand  that  our  pres 
ence  in  their  vicinity  had  been  discovered  :  so  we  about-faced  and  started 
back,  the  tiredest  and  maddest  lot  of  men  you  ever  saw.  About  half 


162  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

way  back  men  began  to  play  out  and  hide  in  the  woods,  declaring-  they 
could  go  no  farther  without  rest.  The  greater  part,  however,  held  out. 
and  got  back  to  camp  between  four  and  five  in  the  morning,  completely 
used  up.  My  feet  and  ankles  were  so  swollen  that  I  could  not  get  my 
boots  on  for  two  days  after.  Those  who  laid  out  all  night  straggled  in 
during  the  next  day.  And  nothing  so  excited  our  gall  as  for  some  one 
to  ask,  • '  How  do  you  like  steamboating  ?  v  It  was  a  sore  subject  with 
us  for  many  a  day. 

A  few  days  later  I  got  a  horse,  and  this  ended  my  connection  with 
the  dismounted  men.  But  this  I  must  say  in  conclusion — that  no  350 
men  on  that  expedition  saw  more  or  harder  fighting  than  did  the  dis 
mounted  portion  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  And  their  record  will 
make  no  blemish  on  the  proud  escutcheon  of  Iowa's  First. 

Respectfully,  J.  R.  MARTIN.  Co.  E. 

When  the  army  arrived  at  Carnden  its  quartermaster  and 
commissary  supplies  were  nearly  exhausted,  and  being  many 
miles  from  his  base  of  supplies  at  Little  Rock,  with  an  active, 
vigilant  enemy  ever  watchful  of  his  movements.  General  Steel  e 
was  obliged  to  draw  upon  the  surrounding  country  for  the 
meager  supply  it  afforded.  (April  19th  the  army  had  been 
without  rations  for  three  days,  subsisting  on  corn  meal. )  For 
this  purpose  supply  trains  were  sent  out  in  various  directions, 
and  mills  set  in  motion  for  the  purpose  of  grinding  corn  and 
other  material  for  food.  A  few  of  our  trains  were  captured, 
and  brisk  skirmishes  occurred  nearly  every  day  between  the 
enemy  and  our  train  escorts.  Reinforcements  from  General 
Kirby  Smith's  army  on  Red  river  were  already  here,  and  Gen 
eral  SteeleV  position  became  daily  more  untenable. 

At  this  time  the  veteran  portion  of  the  regiment,  numbering 
520  men,  were  relieved  from  duty  and  ordered  home  on  a  vet 
eran  furlough.  Assistant  Surgeon  Lothrop  was  relieved  from 
duty  in  the  General  Field  Hospital  in  order  to  accompany 
them. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  very  complimentary  order  re 
lieving  the  veterans  at  this  time  : 

V.  The  Brigadier  General  commanding-  the  division  has  been  high 
ly  gratified  with  the  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  shown  by  the  regiment 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  163 

under  the  particular  hardships  of  this  campaign,  as  well  as  by  its  hand 
somely  sustaining  the  reputation  for  bravery  which  belongs  to  Iowa 
troops. 

VI.  To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell  the  division  commander  is 
under  obligations  for  the  skill  and  bravery  he  has  shown  as  commander 
of  the  Third  Brigade,  and  especially  for  his  untiring  energy  and  hearty, 
cordial  and  effective  co-operation  in  all  the  plans  of  the  campaign. 

By  order  of  Brigadier  General  E.  A.  Carr. 

C.  H.  DYER,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

The  lion-veterans  and  recruits  were  left,  under  command  of 
Captain  James  P.  Crosby,  Company  M.  The  veterans,  having 
sold  their  horses  to  the  Government,  left  for  home  on  foot,  un 
der  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell,  by  the  way 
of  the  Carnden,  Mount  Elba  and  Pine  Bluff  road,  on  the  24th, 
two  companies  of  the  Third  Missouri  Cavalry,  in  command  of 
Captain  Miller,  acting  as  escort.  We  camped  at  night  in  a  pine 
forest,  having  marched  nineteen  miles.  On  the  morning  of  the 
12 5 tli  the  two  companies  of  the  Third  Missouri  Cavalry  returned 
to  Camden,  and  the  veterans  continued  their  march,  hoping  to 
overtake  a  supply  train  which  had  been  ordered  to  Pine  Bluff 
on  the  23d,  with  a  considerable  force  as  escort,  under  command 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Drake,  Thirty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry.  The 
march  was  being  rapidly  made  for  men  unaccustomed  to 
inarching  as  infantry,  when  about  noon  the  booming  of  artil 
lery  w^as  heard  in  our  front.  Believing  that  the  train  had  been 
attacked,  the  march  was  quickened  for  the  purpose  of  joining 
in  the  tight.  A  halt  for  a  few  moments  was  ordered  at  a  bridge 
over  Moro  creek  or  river — a  small,  deep,  miry  stream,  thirty- 
eight  miles  distant  northeast  from  Camden,  near  the  little  town 
of  Moro,  in  Calhoun  county,  and  tive  or  six  miles  distant  from 
the  place  of  the  engagement  with  Lieutenant  Colonel  Drake's 
command.  The  halt  had  scarcely  been  made,  when  a  most  de 
moralized  crowd  of  cotton  speculators,  sutlers,  refugees,  team 
sters,  etc.,  mounted  on  mules  and  horses,  dashed  past  at  the 
"best  gait"  the  animals  possessed  for  Camden,  followed  im 
mediately  by  a  volley  from  the  enemy.  A  line  of  battle  was 


164  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

immediately  formed,  the  fire  returned,  and  a  most  determined 
tight  ensued.  A  rebel  prison  stared  us  in  our  faces,  but  we 
were  going  home  or  going  to  die  "right  there  and  then."  No 
surrender  this  time.  Captain  McDermott,  Company  G,  and 
Lieutenants  Foster,  Company  B,  and  Edwin  A.  Dunham,  Com 
pany  M,  were  in  command  of  the  skirmish  line  which  had  been 
formed  ;  and  our  two  wagons  on  that  narrow,  muddy  road 
were  reversed  by  the  men  in  an  incredibly  short  time  and  sent 
to  the  rear.  A  heavy  fire  was  concentrated  upon  the  bridge, 
and  the  several  attempts  to  charge  across  it  were  as  often  re 
pulsed  by  the  veterans.  One  rebel  officer,  having  more  valor 
than  discretion,  was  k  k  taken  in  ' '  for  his  temerity.  Lieutenant 
Silas  R.  Nugen,  Company  E,  who  had  been  detached  from  the 
regiment  during  the  campaign,  acting  as  Division  Quartermas 
ter,  was  captured.  When  asked  by  his  captors  what  force  was 
in  front  of  them,  he  replied  that  "it  wras  the  advance  of  Gen 
eral  Steele's  army."  This  reply  no  doubt  had  a  very  discour 
aging  effect  upon  them,  as  they  had  been  receiving  for  the  last 
thirty  days  convincing  proofs  of  the  prowess  of  General  Steele's 
army.  Their  extreme  caution  was  fortunate  for  us,  and  saved 
lis  from  severe  disaster.  Forming  successive  lines  the  veterans 
fell  back,  and  marched  in  this  manner  until  after  midnight. 
In  the  meantime  Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell  had  sent  a  dis 
patch  to  General  Steele  asking  for  reinforcements.  Private 
William  Potts,  Company  M,  having  a  fleet  blooded  horse,  was 
selected  as  dispatch-bearer,  and  the  distance  of  thirty-eight 
miles  was  made  by  him  in  a  very  short  time.  This  was  a  most 
fatiguing  inarch,  especially  for  cavalrymen.  The  counter 
march  was  a  greater  distance  than  that  marched  during  the  day. 
making  a  distance  of  more  than  fifty  miles.  The  men  were 
terribly  exhausted,  and  the  wagons  were  used  to  transport  them. 
An  ox  team  belonging  to  a  rebel  farmer  was  impressed  into  the 
service  for  that  purpose  also.  As  many  of  the  men  as  could 
ride  on  the  wagons  were  permitted  to  do  so  for  a  time,  and 
then  as  others  became  exhausted  they  occupied  their  places.  By 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  165 

thus  changing  from  time  to  time  no  men  were  left  behind. 
Many  dropped  by  the  wayside,  saying  they  could  go  no  farther, 
but  being  encouraged,  and  after  partaking  of  a  liberal  dose  of 
xpiritus  frumenti,  they  would  resume  the  march  with  renewed 
•spirits.  Some  time  after  midnight  we  halted  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night.  In  the  early  dawn  of  the  next  morning  (26th), 
our  pickets  discovered  a  force  from  the  direction  of  Camdcn 
advancing  upon  us.  We  could  not  believe  that  a  force  from 
Camden  could  reach  us  at  this  time,  and  every  man  was  desper 
ate  and  ready  for  battle.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  force 
approaching  was  a  detachment  of  1,500  men  with  two  howitzers 
from  our  old  Third  Brigade.  Upon  learning  that  they  were 
our  friends  there  was  an  intense  revulsion  of  feeling.  Brave 
men  who  on  many  a  bloody  battle  field,  amid  storms  of  shot 
and  shell,  had  faced  death  without  a  tremor,  wept  like  children. 
Although  twenty-five  years  have  come  and  gone  since  that 
event  took  place,  the  memory  of  those  scenes  is  as  vivid  as  if 
the  occurrences  were  but  of  yesterday.  On  the  arrival  of  the 
command  in  our  camp  they  greeted  us  with  hearty  congratula 
tions.  It  had  been  reported  in  Camden  that  the  veterans  had 
been  attacked  and  all  were  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  The  dis 
patch  asking  for  reinforcements,  and  announcing  that  we  were 
falling  back  in  good  order,  refuted  the  report,  and  the  above 
mentioned  detachment  was  at  once  ordered  out  and  a  most  rap 
id  march  made  to  reinforce  us. 

At  about  eight  o'clock  the  command  marched  toward  Cam 
den.  The  weary  and  footsore  veterans  were  placed  upon  the 
horses,  and  their  comrades  marched  beside  them,  listening  to 
the  story  of  the  attack,  the  stubborn  resistance  made,  the  re 
treat  without  confusion,  and  the  most  exhausting  march  ever 
made  by  them,  on  that  eventful  day  and  night.  Early  (two 
p.  M.  )  in  the  afternoon  the  command  camped  near  (one  mile) 
the  bank  of  the  Ouachita  river,  opposite  Camden. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  reported  to  have  been  one  Colonel 
and  one  private  killed,  and  one  Captain  taken  prisoner.  Our 


166  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

loss  was  two  wounded  and  two  taken  prisoners — Corporal  John 
Wright  2d,  Company  A,  and  private  Patrick  H.  Burke,  Com 
pany  M,  wounded  ;  Lieutenant  Silas  R.  Nugen,  Company  E. 
and  private  William  H.  Hughson,  Company  B,  taken  pris 
oners. 

At  this  time  General  Steele  was  making  preparations  to 
evacuate  Camden.  About  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
27th  the  army  had  crossed  the  Ouachita  river,  and  was  march 
ing  on  the  Princeton  road  on  a  retreat  to  Little  Rock.  On  the 
29th,  having  passed  through  Princeton,  it  was  at  Jenkins1  Fer 
ry,  on  the  Saline  river,  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  Hot 
Springs  country,  with  the  enemy  in  close  pursuit.  During  the 
night  the  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  the  "bottom"  lands  or 
swamps  bordering  on  the  river,  densely  wooded,  were  one  con 
tinuous  sea  of  mud  and  mire.  All  night  long,  with  the  rain 
pouring  down  in  torrents,  the  army  wras  assisting  in  getting  the 
trains  and  batteries  over  the  almost  bottomless  road,  and  across 
a  pontoon  bridge  which  had  been  laid  across  the  river.  But 
the  morning  came  with  a  portion  of  the  train  uncrossed.  At 
this  time  (April  30th)  all  the  wagons  were  ordered  to  be  des 
troyed,  except  "those  for  General  Headquarters — tive  wag 
ons  for  each  division,  and  such  as  may  be  required  to  carry 
ordnance  stores  remaining  after  issue.  All  ambulances  will  he 
retained.  All  surplus  wagons  will  be  destroyed. 
III.  The  Medical  Director  will  organize  a  hospital,  in  which, 
with  supplies  and  surgical  aid,  will  be  left  such  wounded  as 
may  be  fatally  or  dangerously  wounded,  or  so  seriously  that 
transportation  Avill  result  in  permanent  injury.  Others  will  be 
taken  in  ambulances.  V.  Every  man  of  the 

command  will   carry  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition,  forty  in  the 
boxes  and  twenty  in  the  knapsack  or  haversack." 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  that  portion  of  the 
army  which  had  not  crossed  the  river  were  attacked  by  the 
enemy.  A  most  furious  and  determined  battle  ensued,  and  at 
about  one  o'clock  P.  M.  not  a  rebel  who  could  get  away  was  left 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  167 

upon  the  field.  It  was  a  most  decided  but  dearly  bought  vic 
tory.  It  is  said  that  soon  afterward  General  Kirby  Smith  sent 
in  a  flag  of  truce  for  permission  to  bury  his  dead  and  care  for 
his  wounded ;  finding  but  a  small  burial  party  of  our  men, 
they  were  taken  prisoners,  and  Smith  proclaimed  a  great  rebel 
victory.  In  this  battle  our  loss  was  seven  hundred  (700)  men. 
in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  That  of  the  enemy  is  reported 
to  have  been  2, 300  men, .  among  them  three  Generals.  The 
regiment  did  not  take  an  active  part  in  this  battle.  It  was 
almost  exclusively  an  infantry  engagement.  General  Fegan 
with  his  cavalry  division  was  already  on  the  northern  side  of 
the  river,  intending  to  cut  off  our  retreat  to  Little  Rock.  But 
General  Steele  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  After  the  battle 
he  at  once  set  his  cavalry  in  motion,  and  it  was  now  a  race  be 
tween  General  Fegan's  cavalry  and  our  own  for  Little  Rock. 
We  reached  the  city  May  1st  at  five  p.  M.,  while  General  Fegan 
made  a  hasty  retreat  for  a  place  of  milder  temperature.  Gen 
eral  Steele  with  his  army  arrived  at  the  city  May  3d.  For  the 
last  few  days  of  this  disastrous  campaign  the  men  were  without 
rations,  subsisting  on  parched  and  raw  corn,  with  coffee,  and 
what  little  food  could  be  found  among  the  inhabitants.  During 
the  first  part  of  it  there  were  good  roads,  and  everything  passed 
off  pleasantly;  but  when  the  line  of  inarch  led  among  the 
swamps  and  bayous  of  southern  Arkansas,  amid  rain  and  mud, 
with  rations  exhausted,  and  an  active,  vigilant  foe  in  superior 
numbers  ever  on  the  alert  to  take  advantage  of  any  mismanage 
ment  on  our  part,  it  required  the  utmost  bravery,  fortitude  and 
devotion  to  country  to  bear  the  hardships  and  privations  with 
out  complaint.  Colonel  Engleman  in  his  congratulatory  order 
well  says  :  "The  bravery  and  fortitude  of  the  men,  maintained 
under  the  most  trying  circumstances,  not  only  in  meeting  and 
defeating1  an  enemy  far  more  numerous  than  themselves,  in 
suffering  exposure  to  drenching  rains,  and  being  compelled  for 
nights  in  succession  to  lie  in  swamps,  but  above  all  bearing  the 
attacks  of  gaunt  hunger,  and  yet  obeying  every  order  of  their 


168  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

officers  with  cheerfulness  and  alacrity,  entitle  them  to  the  con 
sideration  and  gratitude  of  their  country. ' ' 

Following  is  a  copy  of  General  Steele's  congratulatory  or 
der  to  his  troops  : 

% 

HEADQUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  ARKANSAS,  &c.. 

LITTLE  ROCK.  ARKANSAS.  May  9th,  1864. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  ^3. 

To  you,  the  troops  of  the  Seventh  Army  Corps,  who  participated  in  the 
recent  campaign  designed  to  co-operate  with  General  Banks'  movement 
against  Shreveport,  the  Major  General  commanding  tenders  his  earnest 
and  grateful  thanks.  Although  you  were  compelled  to  fall  back  with 
out  seeing  the  main  object  of  the  expedition  accomplished,  you  will 
have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  you  have  beaten  the  enemy 
wherever  he  has  met  you  in  force,  and  extricated  yourselves  from  the 
perilous  position  in  which  you  were  placed  by  the  reverses  of  the  co 
operating  column.  This  let  loose  upon  you  a  superior  force  of  the  ene 
my,  under  one  of  their  best  Generals,  causing  the  loss  of  your  trains,  a 
total  interruption  of  your  communications,  and  rendering  it  impos 
sible  for  you  to  obtain  supplies.  You  have  fallen  back  over  rivers  and 
swamps  while  pressed  by  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  and  this  you 
have  done  successfully,  punishing  the  enemy  severely  at  the  same 
time.  The  patience  with  which  you  have  endured  hardships  and 
privations,  and  your  heroic  conduct  on  the  battle  field,  have  been 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Government,  and  will  furnish  a  page  in 
the  history  of  this  war  of  which  you  may  well  be  proud. 

F.  STEELE. 

Official :  Major  General  Commanding. 

— .   Assistant  Adjutant  (feneraf. 

In  December,  1S88,  the  writer's  attention  was  called  to  what 
purported  to  be  a  copy  of  the  official  report  of  General  Mar- 
niaduke  of  his  operations  against  General  Steele  on  this  expe 
dition,  taken  from  the  Southern  Maga/ine  of  April,  1872. 
The  St.  Louis  Globe-Democrat,  of  December  10,  1885,  in  an 
editorial,  made  a  just  and  correct  criticism  of  the  report.  Gen 
eral  Marmaduke's  report  was  so  manifestly  incorrect  that  an 
article  was  published  in  the  Globe-Democrat  as  a  very  brief 
reply  to  it.  The  report  is  here  inserted,  as  an  illustration  of 


Capt,  ft,  W.  HDSFDRD, 

COMPANY    G. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  169 

the  manner  and  style  of  * l  Confederate ' '  officers'  reports.     The 
reply  is  also  inserted. 

GENERAL  MARMADUKE'S  REPORT. 

HEADQUARTERS  MARMADUKE'S  DIVISION, 

IN  THE  FIELD,  May  28th,  1864. 

COLONEL  : — In  obedience  to  orders  from  the  Major  General  com 
manding,  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following-  report  of  the  opera 
tions  of  my  command  in  the  campaign  against  the  Federal  forces  under 
Major  General  Steele,  which  was  ended  on  the  30th  ult.  by  their  re 
treat  across  to  Saline,  and  to  their  base,  Little  Rock. 

At  the  time  information  was  received  of  the  advance  of  Steele' a 
army  from  Little  Rock  southward  on  the  military  road  and  of  his  ar 
rival  at  Benton,  my  division,  consisting  of  Cabell's  Arkansas  cavalry 
brigade  and  Shelby's  and  Greene's  (Marmaduke's)  Missouri  cavalry 
brigades,  numbering  about  thirty-two  hundred  (3,200)  effectively  armed 
and  mounted  men  for  duty,  was  stationed  as  follows  :  Cabell's  brigade 
sixteen  miles  west  of  Washington,  and  sixty-six  miles  from  Camden  : 
Shelby's  and  Greene's  brigades  at  Camden.  To  meet  the  movement  of 
the  enemy  I  made  the  following  dispositions  :  March  22d,  Cabell's 
brigade  was  ordered  to  Tate's  Bluff,  twenty-three  miles  northwest  of 
Camden,  at  the  junction  of  the  Little  Missouri  with  the  Ouachita  river  ; 
March  25th.  Shelby's  brigade  was  ordered  to  Princeton,  but  no  forage 
being  there,  moved  fifteen  miles  northeast  of  Princeton,  (forty-seven 
miles  from  Camden).  and  on  March  28th.  with  Greene's  brigade  and  a 
section  of  Blocker's  battery  under  Lieutenant  Zimmerman.  I  marched 
directly  to  Tate's  Bluff,  The  several  brigades  could  by  this  disposition 
co-operate  against  the  enemy's  front,  if  need  be.  Cabell  and  Greene 
against  his  front,  while  Shelby  was  in  position  to  march  directly  to  and 
operate  upon  his  rear.  On  my  arrival  at  Tate's  Bluff.  March  30th. 
finding  no  forage  nor  subsistence  in  its  vicinity,  and  ascertaining  that 
the  enemy.  9.500  strong,  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery,  had  reached 
Rockport  and  were  marching  upon  Arkadelphia.  I  ordered  Shelby  to 
cross  the  Ouachita  river  and  move  upon  the  enemy's  rear,  and  Cabell's 
brigade,  (which  in  view  of  the  probability  of  the  enemy  advancing  di 
rect  upon  Washington,  and  the  dearth  of  forage  and  subsistence  at 
Tate's  Bluff,  had  been  ordered  to  halt  fifteen  miles  southwest  of  that 
point, )  to  cross  the  Little  Missouri  by  the  military  road  and  resist  him 
in  front,  while  Greene's  brigade  (the  middle  column)  would  cross  the 
Little  Missouri  at  Tate's  Bluff  and  attack  his  left  flank,  and  as  he  ad- 
22 


170  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

vanced  southward  from  Arkadelphia  to  co-operate  with  Cabell,  each  com 
mand  to  make  short  and  desperate  attacks,  retire,  and  attack  again, 
until  the  enemy  reached  the  Little  Missouri  river,  when  all  would  con 
centrate  to  prevent  the  passage  of  that  stream.  Before  the  several 
brigades  could  cross  the  river  and  get  into  position,  the  enemy  had 
entered  Arkadelphia. 

On  April  1st,  Steele  with  his  whole  force  moved  out  of  Arkadelphia, 
directing  his  march  on  the  "military  road11  toward  Washington.  Late 
on  the  evening  of  the  1st  the  scouts  in  advance  of  Shelby's  brigade  had 
entered  Arkadelphia,  capturing  a  dozen  stragglers,  including  one  Cap 
tain,  and  closed  up  the  enemy's  rear ;  but  the  main  body  of  his  brigade 
had  not  arrived.  Cabell  had,  however,  moved  up  to  the  Antoine. 
eighteen  miles  southwest  of  Arkadelphia,  and  his  advance,  commanded 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fayth,  struck  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  con 
sisting  of  two  regiments  of  cavalry,  near  Spoonville,  ten  miles  south 
west  of  Arkadelphia.  Here  several  sharp  fights  occurred,  in  which 
the  enemy  suffered  considerable  loss  and  were  driven  back  upon  the 
main  body.  Greene,  on  the  enemy's  left,  had  attacked  arid  driven  in 
with  loss  his  flankers  to  the  main  body.  On  the  night  of  the  1st  Steele 
encamped  near  Spoonville,  having  marched  only  ten  miles.  Shelby 
encamped  that  night  near  Arkadelphia.  Cabell  on  the  Antoine.  and 
Greene  was  at  nightfall  about  eight  miles  east  of  Spoonville.  The  de 
sign  of  the  enemy  evidently  was  to  co-operate  with  the  Federal  army 
under  Banks,  then  moviug  against  Shreveport.  His  shortest  route  to 
Shreveport  was  by  way  of  Washington.  The  crossing  of  the  Little 
Missouri  river  on  the  military  road  was  a  good  one.  The  latest  infor 
mation  from  my  scouts  on  the  1st  (I  was  then  with  Greene's  column) 
was  that  Steele  had  certainly  advanced  as  far  as  Spoonville.  on  the  di 
rect  Washington  road.  These  facts  taken  in  consideration.  I  ordered 
( 'olonel  Greene  to  leave  Lawther's  regiment  of  his  brigade  on  the  en 
emy's  left  flank,  and.  marching  that  night,  join  Cabell  at  Cottingham's 
Store,  fourteen  miles  northeast  of  Washington  and  three  south  of  Lit 
tle  Missouri  river  on  the  military  road.  Before  daylight  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  -M  I  had  joined  Cabell  at  Antoine.  At  Spoonville  a  good 
road  makes  oft'  southward  from  the  military  road  by  way  of  Okalona  to 
Elkins1  Ferry,  and  by-roads  leading  from  it  to  several  of  the  fords  and 
ferries  on  Little  Missouri  river.  Fearing  that  Steele  might  take  this 
road  and  reach  and  occupy  one  of  the  fords  below  the  military  road 
crossing,  on  the  morning  of  April  2d,  after  leaving  Monroe's  regiment. 
Fayth's  battalion  and  a  section  of  Hughey's  battery,  all  under  command 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  171 

of  Colonel  Monroe  of  Cabell's  brigade,  at  the  Antoine,  I  withdrew  the 
balance  of  the  regiment  to  Cottingham's  Store,  where  he  could  either  re 
inforce  Monroe  when  driven  back  to  the  river,  or  resist  the  occupation 
by  the  enemy  of  any  of  the  fords  below  the  military  road. 

No  change  appeared  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's  march  on  the 
2d.  His  supposed  advance  came  up  with  Colonel  Monroe's  force  at  the 
Antoine,  and  was  driven  back  with  loss  ;  Monroe,  according  to  instruc 
tions,  then  falling  slowly  back.  At  Wolf  creek  he  again  halted  and 
took  position  ;  the  enemy  again  advanced,  and  this  time  Monroe  by  his 
excellent  dispositions,  the  well  directed  fire  of  the  small  arms  of  his 
command,  and  of  the  section  of  Hughey's  battery,  drove  him  in  wild 
disorder  back  upon  his  main  body.  At  two  o'clock  p.  M.  the  march  of 
the  enemy  was  partially  developed — he  had  taken  the  road  leading  off 
by  way  of  Okalona.  Simultaneously  almost  with  this  information,  the 
small  picket  which  had  been  stationed  at  Elkins'  Ferry  galloped  up  to 
inform  me  that  the  enemy  had  occupied  that  ford  with  a  ••small  force. v 
About  four  o'clock  Greene  arrived,  having  marched  when  he  heard  the 
firing  between  Monroe  and  the  enemy  in  a  northwesterly  direction  to 
the  assistance  of  Cabell — as  he  supposed — but  finding  that  the  enemy 
was  in  strong  force,  and  would  in  his  position  then  overpower  him,  re 
tired  to  Cottingham's  Store.  By  this  time  the  enemy  had  occupied  El- 
kins'  Ferry  with  a  strong  force,  and  posted  artillery  to  sweep  any  line  at 
tempting  to  drive  them  from  it :  and  his  main  body  was  in  supporting 
distance. 

In  the  meanwhile  Shelby,  encountering  the  enemy's  rear  guard,  con 
sisting  of  a  brigade  of  infantry,  regiment  of  cavalry  and  a  battery,  had. 
with  the  gallantry  and  dash  which  ever  accompany  him  and  his  brigade, 
charged  in  line  of  battle  mounted— charged  and  charged  again  until 
the  sun  went  down,  and  driven  it  to  seek  safety  with  the  main  body, 
now  encamped  twelve  miles  from  the  scene  of  his  first  attack.  Shelby 
then  encamped.  In  this  day's  fight,  foremost  in  the  pursuit,  fell  mortally 
wounded  Second  Lieutenant  Trigg  of  my  escort,  who  was  sent  by  me 
to  General  Shelby  with  dispatches,  and  having  accomplished  that  duty, 
and  the  fight  coming  on.  joined  the  advance  and  there  fought  with  a 
valor  worthy  the  emulation  of  the  bravest.  Captain  Thorpe,  of  Elliot's 
battalion,  the  advance,  charged  with  his  company  through  a  regiment 
of  Federal  infantry,  scattering  them  to  the  four  winds.  He  received  a 
severe  though  not  mortal  wound  in  that  charge. 

Placing  a  sufficient  force  at  Elkins'  Ferry  to  hold  in  check  any  fur 
ther  advance  until  it  could  be  reinforced.  CabelFs  and  Greene's  brig- 


172  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ades  were  sncamped  so  as  to  reach  in  time  any  of  the  fords  yet  liable  to 
be  crossed  by  the  main  body  of  the  Federal  army.  April  3d  was  passed 
by  the  enemy  in  closing-  up  to  the  river  with  his  main  force.  His  point 
of  crossing  was  not  yet  ascertained,  and  Burbridge's  regiment  of 
Greened  brigade,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Preston,  was  thrown  for 
ward  to  make  a  force  reconnoissance  at  Elkins'  Ferry.  Late  in  the  day. 
after  having1  driven  in  the  advanced  posts  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
with  sharp  skirmishing,  the  enemy  was  discovered  in  heavy  masses. 
Yet  during  that  day  his  main  body  still  remained  on  the  north  bank. 
His  slow,  changeful  marches,  his  seeming  indecision,  were  inexplicable 
until  Shelby's  cannon  were  heard  in  his  rear.  On  the  morning  of  the  3d, 
Shelby  had  again  attacked  his  rear  guard,  when,  finding  that  it  was 
being  heavily  reinforced  and  closing  its  flanks  around  his  small  force. 
he  withdrew  in  good  order.  In  these  actions  General  Shelby  fought  his 
brigade  entirely  mounted,  and  time  and  again  the  irresistible  charge  of 
his  line  thoroughly  demoralized  and  completely  routed  the  long  and 
serried  lines  of  the  enemy's  infantry,  causing  them  great  loss  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners,  while  Collins'  battery  did  most  effective  service 
and  almost  exceeded  its  usual  superlative  excellence  in  the  accuracy  of 
the  fire  and  the  devoted  bravery  of  the  company. 

On  the  4th.  as  afterward  appeared.  Steele  commenced  crossing  his 
main  army.  Having  concentrated  Greene  and  Cabell  in  front  of  the 
ferry,  posted  the  main  portion  of  Cabell's  brigade  as  a  reserve  on  a  nat 
urally  strong  position  at  the  edge  of  the  bottom,  with  Greene's  brigade. 
Colonel  Greene  commanding,  one  piece  of  Blocker's  battery,  under  Lieu 
tenant  Zimmerman.  Monroe's  regiment.  Colonel  S.  C.  Monroe  com 
manding,  and  a  section  of  Hughey's  battery  under  Lieutenant  Miller  of 
Cabell's  brigade,  1 , 200  in  all,  I  advanced  and  attacked  the  enemy  to 
finally  determine  if  he  intended  to  cross  his  whole  force  here,  and  to 
relieve  Shelby.  The  troops  were  rapidly  formed  and  the  attack  quickly 
and  vigorously  made,  which  resulted  in  my  driving  the  enemy  two 
miles  before  he  could  mass  his  forces  against  me.  Lieutenant  Fackler 
of  my  staff  was  captured  in  this  affair.  From  the  official  reports  of  the 
enemy,  captured  afterward,  it  appeared  that  I  fought  a  greatly  superior 
force  and  killed  and  wounded  a  great  number.  I  cannot  pay  too  high 
a  tribute  to  the  alacrity,  steadiness  and  splendid  bravery  of  Greene's 
brigade  and  Monroe's  regiment,  nor  compliment  the  artillery  of  Lieu 
tenants  Zimmerman  and  Miller  more  fittingly  than  in  the  enemy's  own 
language,  who  complained  that  our  ' '  artillerists  must  have  measured 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  173 

the  ground  before  the  battle."     The  enemy's  design  of  crossing  here 
was  now  made  fully  manifest. 

Shelby  was  enabled  to  join  me  on  the  evening  of  that  day  without 
molestation,  and  again  my  whole  force  was  united.  No  forage  being  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  ferry,  I  was  compelled  to  withdraw  my  main  force  on 
the  morning  of  the  5th  to  the  south  side  of  Prairie  D'Anne,  on  the 
Washington  road,  about  sixteen  miles  from  the  ferry.  Here  I  had 
breastworks  of  logs  and  small  earthworks  thrown  up,  with  which  to 
deceive  the  enemy  into  the  belief  that  I  would  here  give  him  battle. 
This  day  my  outpost,  Greene's  regiment,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Campbell,  skirmished  heavily  with  him,  and  again  on  the  6th.  On  the 
7th  the  enemy  continued  to  advance  slowly,  my  advance  under  Captain 
Porter  of  Burbridge's  regiment  skirmishing  with  him  the  entire  day. 
General  Price  now  arrived  with  Dockery's  and  Crawford's  brigades  and 
Wood's  battalion  and  took  command.  Cabell's  brigade  was  taken  from 
me  and  placed  in  Fegan's  division.  On  the  8th  the  enemy  again  ad 
vanced,  driving  Captain  Porter  with  my  outpost  to  the  northeast  edge  of 
the  prairie.  Greene's  brigade  was  then  relieved  from  outpost  duty  by 
troops  of  Fegan's  division. 

On  the  evening  of  the  9th  the  enemy,  having  been  reinforced  by 
Thayer's  division  from  Fort  Smith,  4,000  strong,  cavalry,  infantry  and 
artillery,  marched  upon  the  outposts  of  our  army  under  General  Dock- 
ery,  drove  them  in.  and  was  preparing  to  flank  General  Shelby's  camp 
when  he  evacuated  it,  and  being  ordered  to  keep  in  the  enemy's  front, 
threw  his  force  into  line  of  battle  across  the  Elkins'  Ferry  and  Wash 
ington  and  Camden  roads,  ordered  Dockery  to  protect  his  flank,  and 
attacked  the  advancing  enemy.  The  picket  fighting  soon  assumed 
heavy  proportions.  The  enemy  moved  up  and  opened  upon  Shelby  with 
fifteen  pieces  of  artillery  and  continued  to  advance ;  but  the  resistance 
was  as  dogged  as  their  advance  was  overwhelming.  The  section  of 
Collins1  battery  under  the  immediate  command  of  Captain  Collins  with 
almost  unexampled  courage  held  the  artillery  column  of  the  enemy  at 
bay,  while  the  brigade,  swept  from  flank  to  flank  by  the  fierce  fire  of 
artillery  and  small  arms,  budged  not  until  the  order  for  retiring  came. 
At  nightfall  the  enemy  had  advanced  but  half  a  mile  south  of  his  position 
in  the  morning.  At  midnight  I  withdrew  Shelby.  The  enemy  had  now 
reached  the  point  where  the  roads  from  Washington,  Camden  and  Louis 
ville  join,  looking  northward.  He  wished  to  move  to  Camden,  but  he 
could  not  leave  a  force  so  near  on  the  Washington  road  to  attack  his 
rear,  and  he  feared  to  attack  the  fortified  position  on  the  southwest 


174  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

edge  of  the  prairie.  Two  days  he  spent,  the  10th  and  llth,  in  prepar 
ing1  for  battle.  On  the  12th,  with  his  whole  force  in  line  of  battle,  a  glo 
rious  sight  in  the  open  prairie,  he  moved  upon  the  works,  flanking  them 
upon  the  left — to  find  them  abandoned.  The  works  had  served  their 
purpose  admirably,  deceiving  the  enemy  and  forcing  him  to  waste  his 
time  and  keep  his  army  starving  in  a  barren  country  for  nearly  three 
days,.  Greene's  brigade  was  again  in  action,  skirmishing  in  the  ene 
my's  front  and  bringing  up  the  rear  of  our  army,  with  its  usual  cool, 
desperate  courage. 

On  the  night  of  the  12th  my  division  encamped  on  Prairie  de  Rhoan. 
and  for  the  first  time  in  fourteen  nights  enjoyed  uninterrupted  quiet. 
On  the  morning  of  the  13th,  at  ten  A.  M..  we  were  again  en  route  to 
reach  the  enemy's  front  and  oppose  his  advance  on  Camden.  At  four 
p.  M.  on  the  14th  we  were  in  his  front,  fourteen  miles  from  Camden,  at 
the  junction  of  the  Prairie  D'Anne  and  Camp  Bragg  and  Camden  and 
Washington  roads,  having  marched  sixty  miles.  That  evening,  night 
and  the  next  day  were  spent  in  continued  fighting.  Late  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  15th,  finding  that  the  enemy  was  determined  to  reach  Cam 
den  that  night,  and  that  further  resistance  was  unwise  and  uprofitable. 
and  having  sent  Captain  John  C.  Moore,  my  A.  A.  General,  to  Camden 
to  destroy  such  government  property  there  as  would  benefit  the  enemy, 
and  leaving  Colonel  Lawther's  regiment  with  orders  to  contest  the  ene 
my's  advance,  and  after  being  driven  from  Camden  to  move  out  on  the 
Shreveport  wire  road,  and  watch  the  enemy  on  that  approach.  I  crossed 
my  command  from  the  Prairie  D'Anne  and  Washington  road  to  the 
( 'amp  Bragg  and  Camden  road  and  encamped  eight  miles  from  Cam 
den.  Colonel  Lawther  fought  the  enemy's  advance  in  gallant  style  to 
the  town,  and  encamped  as  directed.  That  night  the  enemy  occupied 
Camden. 

Such  were  the  operations  of  my  command  up  to  the  entrance  of 
Steele's  army  into  Camden.  For  over  three  weeks  no  day  passed  with 
out  hard  marching  and  fighting  ;  few  nights  in  which  it  had  rest.  Its 
rations  consisted  mainly  of  jerked  beef,  with  occasionally  corn  meal. 
During  that  time  no  complaint  was  ever  heard  ;  their  courage  was  high 
and  confident ;  their  conduct  in  battle  admirable  and  worthy  the  highest 
praise — indeed  in  and  out  of  battle  it  was  noble.  For  the  last  six  days 
we  were  assisted  by  other  troops  ;  during  the  remainder  of  the  time  we 
were  opposed  alone  to  the  enemy,  and  General  Steele's  army  of  18.000 
men  consumed  twelve  days  in  inarching  about  as  many  miles. 

The  enemy  was  now  encamped  in  and  around  Camden.     On  the  Ifith 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  175 

Shelby's  brigade  was  ordered  to  Miller's  Bluff  to  watch  the  river,  and  I 
then  had  only  Greene's  brigade  of  about  500  effective  men  with  me. 
On  the  16th  Greene  drove  in  the  enemy's  pickets  on  the  Prairie  D'Anne 
road.  They  were  driven  in  on  the  17th  by  various  roads  by  portions  of 
that  brigade.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th  Colonel  Greene's  scouts  in 
formed  me  that  a  large  train,  225  wagons,  with  a  guard  of  three  regi 
ments,  two  of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  had 
moved  out  on  the  Prairie  D'Anne  road  from  Camden.  I  wrote  to  General 
Fegan  for  assistance,  as  I  had  only  500  men.  He  sent  me  immediately 
Cabell's  and  Crawford's  brigades.  That  night  I  marched  to  attack  this 
train,  but  was  met  with  information  that  the  guard  had  been  reinforced 
by  two  regiments  of  infantry  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  making  their 
force  now  2,500  and  four  pieces  of  artillery.  With  the  reinforcement 
of  Cabell  and  Crawford  my  force  was  but  1,500,  and  as  I  was  certain 
the  train  could  not  return  until  next  morning,  I  wrote  to  General  Fegan 
for  more  assistance,  and  requested  him  to  send  my  letter  to  General 
Price  for  his  approval.  The  plan  was  for  Greene,  Cabell  and  Crawford 
to  intersect  the  road  ten  miles  from  Camden,  for  the  other  troops  to  en 
ter  the  road  at  Poison  Springs,  fifteen  miles  from  Camden,  at  eight 
o'clock  next  morning.  The  plan  was  agreed  upon.  With  Greene's, 
Cabell's  and  Crawford's  brigades  I  marched  early,  and  about  ten  o'clock 
met  the  enemy's  advanced  picket  at  Poison  Springs,  drove  it  back  with 
my  escort  and  staff,  and  occupied  an  advantageous  position  on  the  brow 
of  a  hill,  deployed  my  escort  as  skirmishers  on  the  slope,  and  held  the 
enemy  in  check  until  Cabell  and  Crawford  came  up,  dismounted  and 
deployed  in  front  of  the  enemy.  Greene  was  held  in  reserve  dismounted. 
At  this  time  General  Maxey's  troops,  chiefly  Indians,  and  Wood's  bat 
talion  arrived.  General  Maxey  being  my  senior  in  rank,  I  reported  to 
him.  asking  his  plan  of  battle  and  stating  how  I  had  disposed  of  my 
troops.  He  answered  that  as  I  had  planned  the  whole  movement  I 
should  take  charge  and  make  the  fight.  This  I  did,  requesting  him  to 
post  his  command  at  right  angles  with  my  line,  enfilading  the  enemy's 
line  in  my  front,  and  to  open  the  fight.  My  purpose  was  to  cause  them 
to  •  •  change  front "  toward  Maxey,  and  while  they  were  executing  this 
movement  to  attack  their  flank  with  the  main  line.  Wood's  battalion 
was  dismounted  by  my  order  and  posted  on  my  extreme  right ;  both 
flanks  were  guarded  by  cavalry.  Maxey's  troops  attacked  and  drew 
the  enemy's  attention  and  front  toward  him.  Cabell's  and  Crawford's 
brigades,  under  General  Cabell,  advanced  cheering  and  were  driving 
the  enemy  when  Greene's  brigade  rushed  to  the  charge,  and  the  enemy 


176  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

was  soon  broken  and  their  retreat  shortly  became  a  rout.  After  driv 
ing  them  two  miles,  I  ordered  Wood's  battalion  to  mount  and  move  rap 
idly  to  the  front  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  General  Maxey,  who  from 
this  time  assumed  command,  countermanded  this  order  and  put  Wood  to 
work  at  the  train  to  assist  in  getting  off  the  wagons.  At  this  juncture 
I  received  an  order  from  General  Maxey  to  withdraw  the  whole  force 
from  the  pursuit.  Federal  loss  in  this  engagement  from  400  to  600  left 
dead  on  the  field,  about  100  wounded  and  120  prisoners.  Four  piece* 
of  artillery,  195  wagons — six  mules  each — and  many  hundred  small 
arms  were  brought  off  and  thirty  wagons  burned.  I  cannot  but  think 
that  at  least  1,000  prisoners  would  have  been  added  to  the  list  had  the 
pursuit  been  continued.  Cabell,  inimitable  almost  in  personal  gal 
lantry,  led  his  command  and  first  broke  the  enemy's  columns,  and 
assisted  by  Greene,  who  brought  up  his  line  under  a  heavy  fire  as  stead 
ily  as  on  parade,  crushed  the  enemy,  who  turned  and  fled  in  total  con 
fusion.  On  the  evening  of  the  18th  we  were  again  in  camp.  CabelFs 
and  Crawford's  brigades  reported  back  to  General  Fegan,  and  with 
Greene's  brigade  I  marched  on  the  19th  to  the  wire  road,  twelve  miles 
from  Camden.  At  the  same  time  General  Shelby's  brigade  was  detached 
temporarily  from  my  command  and  ordered  to  General  Fegan  for  duty. 
From  the  20th  to  the  26th  inclusive  my  command  was  encamped,  pick 
eting  to  the  front,  and  had  various  small  but  successful  encounters  with 
the  enemy.  On  the  26th  I  was  ordered  to  report  direct  to  General 
Smith.  On  the  27th,  the  evacuation  of  Camden  by  General  Steele  hav 
ing  been  discovered,  niy  command  marched  to  Whitehall  on  the  Ouach- 
ita  river,  where  Wood's  battalion  was  ordered  to  report  to  me,  swam 
the  river,  came  up  with  the  retreating  enemy,  and  fought  him  until 
General  Smith  arrived  with  the  infantry,  and  the  battle  of  Jenkins" 
Ferry  was  fought,  in  which  engagemont  the  brigade  was  commanded 
by  General  Greene. 

During  this  long-  and  arduous  campaign,  fought  as  most  of  it  was 
under  my  own  eye,  I  take  pleasure  in  speaking  of  the  officer-like  con 
duct  a.nd  the  many  acts  of  splendid  bravery  of  my  officers  and  men. 
To  speak  of  the  quick  perceptions  and  reckless  boldness  of  Shelby,  the 
cool  and  chivalrous  bearing  of  Cabell,  or  the  perseverance,  thoughtful - 
ness  and  steady  courage  of  Greene,  is  telling  an  oft-told  tale.  The  list 
is  too  long  to  narrate,  but.  I  say  it  with  pride,  of  all  the  officers  and 
men  in  my  division  not  one  have  I  seen  or  heard  of  who  shrank  from 
the  performance  of  any  duty,  however  dangerous. 

In  conclusion,  I  desire  to  express  my  happiness  at  the  conduct  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  177 

whole  division,  and  my  belief  that  posterity  will  do  them  the  honor  they 
so  well  deserve.  At  present  I  cannot  give  my  losses  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing-,  as  several  of  the  commands  which  were  under  me  are 
temporarily  or  permanently  absent ;  but  I  am  of  opinion  that  my  loss 
compared  with  that  of  the  enemy  is  as  one  to  twenty. 

JOHN  S.  MARMADUKE, 

Major  General  Commanding. 

REPLY  TO  GENERAL  MARMADUKE'S  REPORT. 

LYONS,  IOWA,  December  5th,  1885. 

To  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  GLOBE-DEMOCRAT  : — Some  time  ago  my 
attention  was  called  to  an  article  in  the  Kansas  City  Times,  entitled 
-•Chasing-  General  Steele,"  purporting  to  be  a  copy  of  General  Marma 
duke1  s  official  report  of  his  operations  against  General  Steele  in  Arkan 
sas  in  the  spring  of  1864,  familiarly  known  as  the  •  •  Camden  Expedition." 
I  have  also  read  with  pleasure  your  editorial  entitled  *  •  Marmaduke  in 
War  "  upon  said  report.  What  you  have  written  is  eminently  proper, 
just  and  true  in  every  essential  particular.  If  there  has  been  no  criti 
cism  upon  your  editorial,  perhaps  there  is  no  necessity  for  making  re 
ply  to  the  "  report"  of  General  Marmaduke.  If  there  has  been,  a  con 
clusive  reply  can  be  made.  Being  personally  present  in  many  of  the 
engagements,  and  having  copies  of  official  reports  made  by  a  number  of 
the  brigade  arid  regimental  commanders,  I  know  whereof  I  write. 

General  Marmaduke'' s  report  is  grossly  untrue  in  many  particulars, 
and,  as  you  say,  •  •  one  is  moved  to  wonder  if  he  was  in  Arkansas  at  that 
time  at  all."  It  is  not  necessary  now  to  particularize,  but  will  cite  his 
report  of  the  capture  of  a  forage  train  of  180  (not  225)  wagons  upon 
the  Poison  Springs  road.  This  train  guard  consisted  of  the  Second 
Kansas  Colored  Regiment,  Eighteenth  Iowa,  one  section  of  the  Second 
Indiana  Battery,  and  200  cavalry — a  force  of  not  more  than  1,800  men. 
The  rebel  force  sent  against  this  train  guard,  (who  not  only  were 
obliged  to  defend  themselves  but  also  protect  the  train, )  was.  according 
to  Marmaduke's  report,  CabelFs,  Crawford's  and  Greene's  brigades. 
General  Maxey's  troop,  chiefly  Indians,  and  Wood's  battalion — consist 
ing  of  about  6,000  men.  Verily,  it  must  have  been  a  brilliant  achieve 
ment  to  capture  a  train  guard  of  1,800  men  with  a  force  of  6.000.  and 
yet  not  until  after  seven  different  charges  had  been  made  by  this  over 
whelming  force  did  the  train  guard  surrender.  A  portion  of  the  Eight 
eenth  Iowa  then  cut  its  way  out  and  returned  to  Camden. 

A  cold-blooded  butchery  followed  the  surrender- — another  Fort  Pillow 

massacre,   although  of   less  magnitude.     The  Kansas   colored    soldiers 
23 


1  78  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

were  murdered  while  asking  for  quarter,  and  I  have  no  doubt  Marma- 
duke's  report  of  the  killed  at  this  time  approaches  nearer  the  truth  than 
any  other  portion  of  his  report.  The  cowards  performed  their  work 
after  the  surrender.  It  was  most  certainly  a  brilliant  exploit  to  boast 
of.  and  displayed  an  immense  amount  of  strategy. 

While  upon  this  point  will  give  another  instance  of  the  chivalrous 
conduct  of  one  of  his  officers  whom  he  extols  so  highly.  When  Shel 
by's  forces  entered  Hollywood  on  the  morning  of  April  2d,  an  officer 
rode  up  to  the  house  of  a  widow  Coles,  who  had  a  son  in  the  Third 
Missouri  Cavalry,  and  asked  her  whether  a  negro  man  then  present  was 
her  property.  On  her  answering  in  the  affirmative,  he  shot  the  negro 
twice,  one  shot  taking  effect  in  the  negro's  neck,  the  other  in  his  head, 
leaving  him  for  dead.  (From  the  official  report  of  Colonel  Engelman. ) 
Such  men  do  not  fight  well,  except  upon  paper  at  long  range. 

I  must  refer  to  one  more  point  in  his  report,  in  order  to  show  your 
correct  estimate  of  the  movement  of  General  Steele  when  he  left  the 
••military"  road  leading  to  Washington  and  took  the  "neighborhood  " 
road  to  Okalona  and  Elkins'  Ford.  Up  to  this  time  Steele  moved  upon 
the  Washington  road.  Marmaduke  guessed  he  would  continue  on  that 
road,  thinking  probably  that  Steele  would  fall  right  into  the  trap  he 
(Marmaduke)  had  provided  for  him  at  the  ••  Good  Crossing "  of  the 
Little  Missouri  river  on  the  military  road,  and  had  everything  fixed  for 
his  reception.  But  •  •  the  best  laid  schemes  of  mice  and  men  gang  aft 
a-gley."  In  anxious  expectancy  he  saw  on  the  morning  of  that  day 
Steele?s  ••  supposed  advance."  Well,  it  was  Steele's  '-advance,"  but  it 
was  a  very  small  "advance."  It  was  a  detachment  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  sent  down  on  the  • -military"  road  to  amuse  Marmaduke  while 
Steele  was  taking  the  ••  neighborhood  "  road  to  Elkins1  Ford.  We  kept 
up  the  amusement  (I  was  present  with  the  detachment)  until  about  one 
or  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  then,  our  object  being  accom 
plished,  we  returned  to  the  command.  This  is  a  very  fair  example  of 
the  manner  in  which  Marmaduke  WHS  outgeneraled  by  Steele  during  the 
entire  campaign. 

The  battle  of  Jenkins1  Ferry  was  such  an  overwhelming  defeat  of  the 
rebels  and  such  a  brilliant  victory  upon  our  part  that  Marmaduke  fails 
to  attempt  a  description.  Like  ••  Abner  Dean  of  Angels."  the  ••  subse 
quent  proceedings  interested  him  no  more." 

A  good  story  is  told,  however,  of  that  battle.  We  made  it  exceed 
ingly  hot  for  the  •  •  rebels  "  that  day — •  •  hotter'n  hell. "  as  they  expressed 
it.  There  was  always  a  feeling  of  jealousy  existing  between  the  rebel 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

troops  of  Texas  and  those  of  Arkansas — one  claimed  to  be  more  cour 
ageous,  daring-,  and  had  better  '  •  staying- "  qualities  than  the  other.  A 
regiment  from  each  of  these  States  was  in  this  fight.  The  Texas  regi 
ment  • '  went  in  "  and  came  out  in  a  few  minutes,  not  standing  on  the 
order  of  their  "coming  out.11  As  they  approached  the  Arkansas  regi 
ment  in  their  rapid  retreat,  the  Arkansas  Colonel,  in  the  peculiar  Ark 
ansas  tone  of  voice,  called  out,  "  Make  way  thar,  Texicans,  and  let  us 
Arkansians  in  !  "  The  Texas  Colonel  suppressed  his  rage  and  took  up 
a  position  in  the  rear.  The  Arkansians  ••  went  in,"  but  they  -staid  in 
a  much  shorter  time  than  the  Texicans.1'  They  came  out  in  squads  in 
a  most  demoralized  condition — the  Colonel  as  badly  demoralized  as  his 
men.  On  reaching  the  vicinity  of  the  Texas  regiment,  the  Texas  Colo 
nel  called  out  in  a  stentorian  voice,  imitating  that  of  the  Arkansas 
Colonel,  --Make  way  thar,  Texicans,  and  let  them  Arkansians  out !  " 

From  the  time  we  first  became  acquainted  with  Marmaduke's  opera 
tions  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas  to  the  time  when  he  was  captured  at 
the  finale  of  the  Price  raid  in  Missouri,  and  brought  in  a  prisoner  at 
Warrensburg,  (the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  being  there  at  that  time. )  it  was 
our  opinion  that,  while  General  Marmaduke  might  be  personally  brave, 
as  a  strategist  he  was  a  successful  failure. 

CHAS.   H.   LOTHROP. 
Late  Surgeon  1st  Regt.  Iowa  Cav.   Veteran   Volunteers. 

A  most  interesting  communication  from  Captain  W.  C.  Row 
land.  Company  H,  Eighteenth  Iowa  Infantry,  now  residing  at 
Carthage,  Missouri,  in  relation  to  the  battle  of  Poison  Springs, 
is  here  inserted  to  show  the  inaccuracy  of  General  Mannaduke's 
report  of  that  engagement,  and  that  the  facts  may  become  of 
record.  If  the  Eighteenth  Iowa  had  no  other  record  of  its 
fighting  capacity,  the  heroic  attempt  made  to  save  this  forage 
train  would  place  it  high  on  the  roll  of  the  fighting  regiments  of 

Iowa  : 

CARTHAGE,  MISSOURI,  July  12th.  1886. 

UK.  CHAS.  H.  LOTHROP.  LYONS,  Iowa: — Dear  Sir — Among  my  war 
clippings  is  your  letter  of  December  5th.  1885.  to  the  Globe- Democrat. 
St.  Louis,  entitled  "Marmaduke  in  War.1"  You  refer  to  his  report  of 
the  capture  of  the  forage  train  on  the  Poison  Springs  road.  April,  '64. 
It  may  be  of  interest  to  know  the  part  the  Eighteenth  Iowa  took,  and  how 
the  regiment  cut  its  ••  way  back  toCamden."  Having  lived  in  Missouri 
since  1865,  I  have  conversed  with  many  ex-Confederates  who  were  on 


180  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

that  field — in  fact  have  fought  the  battle  over  with  them  many  times — 
so  I  have  both  sides, 

General  Marmaduke  gives  his  force  correctly,  but  ours  is  over-esti 
mated.  I  never  saw  our  official  report,  but  knew  the  commands  en 
gaged,  as  they  were  from  General  Thayer's  division. 

The  forage  train  was  out  several  days  before  the  Eighteenth  left 
Camden.  The  Wagon  Master,  Jacob  Smith,  was  from  my  company, 
and  he  has  told  me  there  were  180  six-mule  wagons  in  the  train.  Col 
onel  Williams.  Second  Kansas  Colored  Infantry,  commanded.  His  force 
consisted  of  his  regiment,  about  600  strong,  a  section  of  the  Second  In 
diana  Artillery,  and  about  200  cavalry,  a  surgeon,  etc. 

On  April  17th  the  long  roll  beat  the  Eighteenth  to  arms,  with  orders 
to  march  immediately.  We  had  no  rations,  but  with  forty  rounds 
started.  Passing  the  picket,  we  halted,  returned  the  feeble  to  camp, 
and  had  all  told,  officers  and  men,  320.  Here  we  were  joined  by  two 
companies  of  cavalry,  two  howitzers,  ambulance,  etc.,  Captain  Duncan. 
( Company  B.  Eighteenth  Iowa,  in  command.  During  the  afternoon  we  came 
on  the  enemy,  supposed  to  be  marauders,  but  have  learned  since  they 
were  men  of  the  main  body.  After  some  skirmishing  and  shelling  of 
the  wood  on  our  part,  they  retired.  We  left  Camden  about  two  p.  M. 
That  night  we  lay  on  our  arms  by  the  roadside,  building  no  fires.  We 
stationed  pickets  and  felt  secure,  believing  the  commanding  General 
would  not  order  6ut  so  small  a  body  without  knowing  the  enemy's  posi 
tion  :  but  we  were  so  near  the  rebels  that  our  cavalry  and  theirs  wat 
ered  at  the  same  creek,  only  a  few  rods  apart.  They  could  heai-  our 
men  talk.  The  truth  is,  Marmaduke  lay  between  the  train  and  Cam- 
den,  a  little  to  the  south  of  the  main  road,  and  could  ha.ve  easily  cap 
tured  us  before  we  got  to  the  train. 

We  were  kindly  spared  to  take  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  next 
day.  About  eight  o'clock  next  morning  we  joined  Colonel  Williams, 
several  miles  west  of  the  Springs  ;  he  had  the  train  loaded  and  was  on 
his  way  to  Camden.  In  the  morning  going  west,  as  we  passed  Poison 
Spring,  (a  Confederate  post  office.)  the  family  residing  there  were  at 
breakfast,  and  they  knew  nothing  of  the  enemy ;  but  when  we  returned 
about  noon  they  were  gone — everything  was  moved. 

Colonel  Williams  gave  us  a  ration  from  the  train,  and  assigned  Cap 
tain  Duncan's  force  as  the  rear  guard.  When  the  attack  was  made,  our 
regiment  lay  in  the  lane  between  the  house  on  the  south  and  the  stables 
on  the  north  of  the  road.  Our  rear  was  at  --The  Poison  Spring,"  and 
Home  of  the  men  were  filling  canteens.  The  wagons  were  two  and  three 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  181 

abreast,  as  the  road  and  timber  would  permit,  East,  down  the  road, 
the  ground  was  depressed,  being  quite  level  for  some  distance  ;  then 
a  low  ridge  lay  at  right  angles  with  the  road.  The  enemy  had  taken 
position  behind  this  ridge  and  let  his  artillery  down  in  the  ground  so  as 
to  sweep  the  road  and  level  land. 

Here  the  strategist  awaited  us.  Not  expecting  a  large  force  between 
us  and  the  city,  we  marched  into  the  trap — a  regular  ambush.  Out 
numbering  us  at  least  five  to  one,  they  did  not  demand  a  surrender,  but 
opened  fire  with  infantry,  solid  shot  and  shell.  The  latter  plowed 
through  the  trains.  The  colored  regiment  in  front  fought  well ;  so  did 
the  others,  but  it  availed  nothing.  We  sent  out  skirmishers  from  the 
Eighteenth  to  protect  the  sides  of  the  train.  We  had  no  idea  the  enemy 
were  in  force,  but  found  them  endeavoring  to  surround  us.  The  front, 
fearfully  decimated,  fell  back  on  the  Eighteenth.  Their  infantry 
charged  through  the  trains,  and  when  the  Eighteenth  opened  fire  they 
were  not  one  hundred  feet  away.  Then  began  the  retreat  toward  the 
northwest ;  first  to  the  fence  back  of  us.  then  to  the  top  of  the  hill, 
from  which  we  were  soon  driven.  The  land  lay  in  sharp,  steep  ridges, 
with  narrow  ravines.  The  Eighteenth  kept  up  a  line  and  made  a  stand 
on  every  ridge.  The  last  was  the  highest,  with  steep  sides  circling  us. 
so  as  to  cut  the  enemy  off  from  our  right  and  front.  Here  the  pursuit 
stopped,  [t  was  the  design  to  send  the  Choctaws.  Indian  cavalry,  on 
us.  We  could  see  them  in  line  in  the  main  road  across  the  hollow  on 
the  south.  They  could  not  ride  the  steep  ravine,  and  having  no  disci 
pline,  they  gave  the  "war  whoop  " — a  demoniac  yell — and  broke  for  the 
plunder  in  the  train.  This  disconcerted  the  rebels  and  saved  the  Eight 
eenth. 

Our  commanding  officers.  Colonel  Williams  and  Captain  Duncan, 
were  gone.  There  be  times  when  rank  is  not  respected.  One  of  our 
first  Captains  ra.n  up  and  down  the  line  and  cried  out :  •  •  Let  us  sur 
render  like  men  ;"  but  his  noise  was  soon  hushed.  Captain  Conway. 
Company  C,  took  command  ;  Captain  Dean,  Company  E.  the  front,  and 
Company  H  the  rear.  We  rallied  the  men  on  ourselves  and  encouraged 
them  to  stand  by  us.  The  terrible  war  whoop  of  the  Indians  put  new 
vigor  in  us.  We  started  northward  double  quick,  in  hope  to  get  to  the 
swamps  and  by  way  of  the  Ouachita  river  reach  Camden  in  the  night, 
But  fortune  favored  us.  We  soon  came  to  a  settlement,  and  in  the  edge 
of  the  woods  captured  a  citizen,  a  butternut  dressed,  long  haired,  hawk- 
nosed  native,  one  who  • '  knew  nothing  and  never  done  nothing  ;'"  but  he 
had  heard  the  roar  of  the  battle.  Asked  if  he  knew  the  road  to  Cam- 


182  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

den  so  as  to  avoid  the  enemy,  he  did  not.  The  command  halted  ;  every 
moment  was  precious,  and  the  Indians  were  not  far  away.  I  ran  to  the 
front,  heard  the  parley,  and  settled  the  matter  quickly.  Dismounted  a 
teamster  who  had  saved  "his  mule/1  mounted  the  citizen  and  put  a 
picked  man  on  each  side  of  him,  with  orders  that  if  the  citizen  did  not 
get  us  to  Camden  without  being-  iired  on  by  the  enemy,  to  shoot  him. 
The  boys  rammed  a  charge  and  capped  the  guns.  This  brought  to  his 
knowledge  the  way  we  sought.  He  guided  us  to  camp.  The  enemy 
awaited  us  on  the  roads  leading  into  the  main  road,  but  our  citizen  cir 
cled  him,  and  when  discovered  we  were  too  near  Camden  to  be  attacked. 
Three  days  afterward  a  burial  detail  was  sent  from  the  Eighteenth  to 
the  field,  under  command  of  Major  J.  K.  Morey.  Word  had  been  sent 
that  no  d — d  nigger  would  be  permitted  on  the  ground.  The  Major 
buried  six  white  officers  and  eighty  men  of  the  Second  Kansas.  The 
Eighteenth  lost  sixty-one  men  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  My  com 
pany,  H,  lost  twelve.  The  white  dead  were  scalped  and  all  were 
stripped  of  clothing,  which  was  worn  by  the  rebels.  To  add  insult  to 
the  dead  officers  of  the  colored  regiment,  they  were  laid  on  their  faces 
and  a  circle  of  their  dead  soldiers  made  around  them.  Nearly  all  of 
our  captured  died  in  prison.  I  never  knew  the  total  loss — that  is,  to  in 
clude  artillery,  cavalry,  etc. 

It  may  be  proper  to  say  that  the  soldiers  in  charge  of  the  citizen 
were  instructed  privately  not  to  obey  the  order,  for  we  expected  an  at 
tack  every  moment.  He  was  assigned  to  Company  H  as  a  pet.  In  n 
few  days  I  went  to  the  commanding  General  and  told  him  of  the  man's 
valuable  service,  procured  a  pass,  escorted  him  to  the  picket  and  turned 
him  loose  to  render  an  account  to  the  rebels  for  aiding  the  Union  army. 
Very  truly  yours,  &c..  W.  C.  ROWLAND. 

Late  Captain  (Jo.  H.  18th  Iowa  Infantry. 

The  Iowa  regiments  engaged  in  this  campaign  were  the 
Eighteenth,  Twenty-ninth,  Thirty-third,  Thirty-sixth  and  Forti 
eth  Infantry  and  the  First  Cavalry. 

On  May  2d  the  regiment  with  brigade  was  ordered  out  on  a 
reconnoissance  and  escort  for  a  supply  train  for  the  relief  of 
General  Steele's  famished  army.  It  met  the  army  on  the  Benton 
road,  about  thirteen  miles  from  Little  Kock,  and  remained  at 
that  place  as  picket  guard  until  those  hungry,  foot-sore,  wean 
but  heroic  "boys'"  had  passed  within  our  lines.  On  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  183 

evening  of  the  4th  the  veterans  crossed  the  Arkansas  river  at 
Little  Rock  on  their  homeward  march,  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  5th  took  passage  on  a  railroad  train  for  Duvall's  Bluff,  on 
White  river.  Arriving  at  Duvall's  Bluff  we  embarked  on  the 
steamer  Tycoon  for  Memphis,  Tenn.  Arriving  at  Memphis  we 
embarked  on  the  steamer  Belle  St.  Louis  for  St.  Louis,  at  which 
place  we  arrived  on  the  afternoon  of  the  9th,  where  we  were 
most  cordially  received  by  our  old  commander,  Brigadier  Gene 
ral  J.  W.  Davidson  and  his  staff,  with  two  companies  of  cavalry 
as  escort.  The  veterans  were  soon  in  line  and  were  escorted 
to  General  Rosecrans'  headquarters,  and  from  there  to  Turner 
Hall,  where  a  banquet  was  given  by  the  city  authorities,  and  a 
veteran  badge  bearing  the  following  inscription  presented  to 
each  man:  -'First  Iowa  Volunteer  Cavalry — Veterans.  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  1864."  This  most  kindly  welcome  was  highly  ap 
preciated,  and  we  felt  that  the  good  people  of  St.  Louis  recog 
nized  the  early  services  of  the  regiment  in  its  conflicts  with  the 
guerrillas  and  desperadoes  which  infested  their  State.  At  this 
time  also  the  elegant  sabre  which  had  been  purchased  for  him 
was  presented  to  General  Davidson. 

Leaving  St.  Louis  on  the  14th.  the  veterans  arrived  at  Bur 
lington  on  the  1 6th,  and  the  citizens  gave  us  a  grand  reception. 

The  veterans  arrived  at  Daven-port  May  17th,  and  were 
soon  on  their  way  to  their  homes  to  receive  the  heartfelt 
welcomes  of  loved  ones.  Who  can  portray  the  joy  and  un 
speakable  happiness  of  those  meetings,  or  describe  the  emo 
tions  of  the  sinking  heart,  the  pain  and  anguish  of  those, 
when  inquiry  was  made  for  some  loved  one  who  did  not 
come,  were  gently  told  that  the  comrade  was  among  those 
who  had  laid  them  down  in  death  that  a  nation  might  live  ? 
None  but  those  poor  bleeding,  broken  hearts  can  realize  the  sac 
rifices  made  during  this  most  eventful  struggle. 

June  20th  the  veterans  were  in  camp  at  Camp  Kinsman,  Dav 
enport.  On  the  22d,  their  furlough  having  expired,  the  veterans 
left  Davenport  to  again  do  battle  in  the  cause  of  a  united  coun- 


184  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

try.  June  23d,  arrived  at  Cairo  at  3.30  p.  M.  Received  tele- 
grain  to  report  at  St.  Louis  ;  the  unsettled  condition  of 
Missouri  again  required  their  presence.  Started  for  St.  Louis 
on  the  24:th  at  seven  p.  M.  on  board  steamer  Empire  City,  a 
stern-wheel  boat.  Arrived  at  St.  Louis  on  the  25th  at  two  p. 
M.,  and  went  into  quarters  at  Benton  Barracks  ;  and  while  there 
preparing  for  active  duties  in  the  field  we  will  resume  the  per 
sonal  history  of  the  regiment  up  to  and  under  its  new  organi 
zation. 

Colonel  Daniel  Anderson,  Quartermaster  Chas.  H.  Albers, 
First  and  Second  Lieutenants  Mathew  Ronaldson  and  William 
A.  Clark,  Company  C,  First  Lieutenant  William  R.  Shriver, 
Company  E,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Warren  Y.  Reeves,  Com 
pany  L,  had  resigned. 

The  promotions  were  as  follows :  Major  William  Thompson 
to  Colonel  ;  Captain  J.  I).  Jenks,  Company  D,  and  John  Mc- 
Dermott.  Company  G,  to  Majors ;  Surgeon  M.  B.  Cochran  to 
Assistant  Surgeon  and  Surgeon  United  States  Volunteers ;  As 
sistant  Surgeon  Charles  H.  Lothrop  to  Surgeon  ;  Hospital  Stew 
ard  John  J.  Saunders  to  Assistant  Surgeon,  and  was  dismissed 
the  service  a  few  months  afterwards ;  Hospital  Steward  James 
Hervey  to  Assistant  Surgeon ;  Commissary  Sergeant  W.  W. 
Fluke  to  Quartermaster ;  Rev.  James  S.  Rand  to  Chaplain  from 
private  Fourth  Iowa  Infantry. 

Company  B — First  Lieutenant  J.  T.  Foster  to  Captain,  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant  H.  P.  Shiffer  and  Sergeant  H.  S.  Hcberling  to 
First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  C — Sergeants  T.  J.  R.  Perry  and  C.  M.  Turner  to 
First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  I) — Second  Lieutenant  George  M.  Walker  to  Cap 
tain,  and  Sergeant  William  B.  Ramsey  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

Company  E — Sergeant  William  B.  Coulter  to  Second  Lieu 
tenant. 

Company  G — Sergeant  A.  -P:  Hosford  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

Company  K — First  Lieutenant  Thomas  H.  Barnes  to  Captain. 


HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  185 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Keeler  and  Sergeant  James  M. 
Russell  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  L — Sergeant  John  M.  Enochs  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

The  following  were  honorably  discharged  from  the  service  : 
Major  Levi  Chase,  Captain  S.  S.  Burdett,  Company  B,  and 
Robert  L.  Freeman,  Company  K.  Captain  Burdett  was  on  de- 
tatched  service  from  1863  to  muster  out  as  Provost  Marshal  of 
the  District  of  St.  Louis,  and  Provost  Marshal  General  of  the 
State  of  Missouri.  Captain  Freeman  was  on  detached  service 
from  1863  to  muster  out  as  Assistant  Adjutant  General  on  staff's 
of  Generals  Orme,  Davidson  and  others. 

Soon  after  arriving  at  Benton  Barracks  the  veterans  were 
mounted  on  horses  belonging  to  the  Seventeenth  Illinois  Cavalry 
and  ordered  out  in  pursuit  of  a  band  of  desperadoes  commit 
ting  depredations  in  the  western  vicinity  of  St.  Louis. 

The  following  recital  of  the  movements  and  operations  of  the 
veteran  portion  of  the  regiment  is  taken  from  the  memoranda 
of  the  writer,  made  at  the  time : 

On  the  return  from  this  expedition  they  were  mounted  and 
equipped,  and  on  July  21st  left  for  northern  Missouri,  by  the 
way  of  the  North  Missouri  railroad,  and  arrived  at  Macon  City, 
a  town  in  Macon  county,  at  the  junction  of  the  North  Missouri 
with  the  Hannibal  &  St.  Joe  railroads,  on  the  22d.  From  this 
place  they  were  ordered  to  Cameron,  in  the  southeastern  portion 
of  Clinton  county,  a  small  town  on  the  Hannibal  &  St.  Joe 
railroad,  about  thirty-five  miles  distant  east  from  St.  Joe. 
Here  a  scouting  party  of  250  men  of  the  regiment  and  of  the 
Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry,  M.  S.  M.,  were  ordered  out  ;  and  on 
the  27th  the  remaining  portion  of  the  command  ordered  to 
return  to  Macon  City,  arriving  at  that  place  on  the  morning  of 
the  28th.  General  Jim  Lane  and  the  Honorable  Ben  Loan,  hav 
ing  been  at  a  conference  of  Republicans  at  St.  Louis,  stopped 
here  on  their  way  home,  and  made  rousing  political  speeches  in 
the  afternoon.  The  regiment  remained  here  doing  scouting  duty 
until  August  9th,  at  which  time  it  was  ordered  to  Mexico,  a 


186  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

town  on  the  North  Missouri  railroad,  and  the  county  seat  of 
Audrain  county.  Here,  by  order  from  headquarters  Eighth 
Military  District  E.  M.  M.,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell  as 
sumed  command  of  the  u  Sub-District  Mexico,  Missouri,  com 
prising  the  counties  of  Audrain,  Pike,  Callaway,  Lincoln. 
Montgomery,  Warren  and  St.  Charles,  Captain  R.  M.  Rey 
nolds,  Company  A,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cald well's 
order  on  assuming  command: 

HEADQUARTERS  SUB-DISTRICT  OF  MEXICO,  MISSOURI. 

August  26th.  1864. 
UENERAL  ORDER  No.  2. 

Whereas,  ALL  CITIZENS  owe  allegiance  to  constituted  government  and 
all  citizens  of  the  United  States  owe  personal  military  service,  when 
the  public  peace  requires  such  service,  when  called  out  by  proper 
authority,  it  is  hereby  ordered  : 

I.  A  complete  list  or  roll,  embracing-  all  citizens  subject  to  military 
duty  or  service,  shall  be  made  out  and  kept  by  the  Provost  Marshal  or 
post  commander  at  every  post  or  town   in  this  sub-district,  which  shall 
be  used  as  a  roster  for  details  upon  such  citizens  for  temporary  military 
duty  as  hereinafter  directed. 

II.  Whenever,    in   the  judgment   of  any  Provost  Marshal  or   com 
mander  of  any  post  or  town    in  this   sub-district,  the  public  safety  re 
quires  it,  he  is  hereby  directed  to  call  out  such   citizens  and  arm  them 
for  temporary  duty  at  such  post  or  town,  detailing  them  by  name  from 
the   above   roster,  and  any  one  refusing    to  comply,  or  failing  to  attend 
when   so  detailed,  will   be   immediately  arrested  and  brought  to  these 
headquarters. 

III.  Where    voluntary  organizations    exist    for    home    defense,    the 
Provost  Marshal  or  commander  of  the  post  or  town  shall  make  details 
upon  the  commanding  officers    of  such  organizations,    who  will  be  held 
responsible  for  the  prompt    attendance    of  such  details,  and  will  arrest 
and   bring  to  these  headquarters   any  who  may  refuse  or  fall  to  report 
when  so  detailed. 

IV.  It  must  be  distinctly  understood  that  those  who  do  not  belong 
to    any  voluntary  organization    for  home  defense,  shall  not  be  thereby 
exempt   from   duty,  but   shall  be  required  to  perform  their  FULL  SHAKE 
of  duty  by  details  from  a  roster  of  that  class,  made  out  and  kept  by  the 
Provost  Marshal  or  post   commander,  and   NONE  shall  be  exempt  from 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  187 

such  duty  unless  excused  by  the  Surgeon  for  disability.  The  com 
mander  of  the  post  or  town  shall  appoint  an  examining1  surgeon  when 
there  is  no  Surgeon  on  duty,  when  such  cases  arise. 

V.  No  detail  shall  be  made  for  over  twenty-four  (24)  hours,  at  any 
one  time,  unless  from  ABSOLUTE  NECESSITY,  and  great  care  should  be 
observed  that  the  ordinary  daily  occupation  of  citizens  be  disturbed  as 
little  as  the  public  safety  will  permit. 

By  command  of  J.  W.  CALDWELL, 

Lt.  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cav.,  Comdg.  Sub-Dist.  Mexico,  Mo. 

Official :     R.  M.  REYNOLDS, 

Capt.  1st  Iowa  Cav.,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

The  headquarters  of  the  regiment  remained  here  until  Octo 
ber,  at  which  time  it  was  ordered  to  Jefferson  City,  to  engage 
in  the  campaign  against  General  Price's  raid  into  Missouri. 

During  the  time  we  were  stationed  at  Mexico,  guerrillas  and 
bands  of  outlaws  were  most  active  in  their  operations  of  rapine 
and  murder,  and  the  regiment  was  on  continuous  outpost  and 
scouting  duty.  About  this  time  Hospital  Steward  James  Her- 
vey  received  his  commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  regi 
ment.  It  was  a  most  worthy  promotion.  He  had  performed 
the  duties  of  Hospital  Steward  most  faithfully  for  a  period  of 
three  years,  and  was  well  qualified  and  justly  entitled  to  his 
promotion. 

September  8th  a  detachment  of  the  regiment  had  a  brisk 
skirmish  with  a  band  of  outlaws,  at  a  place  called  Persia  Hills, 
in  Boone  county.  The  face  of  the  country  in  that  section  is 
very  broken,  hilly,  and  studded  with  scrub  oak  and  other  tim 
ber.  On  account  of  the  place  being  so  difficult  of  access,  it 
was  headquarters  and  a  place  of  rendezvous  for  outlaws  and 
guerrillas.  These  hills  are  a  continuation  of  the  Ozark  range 
of  mountains,  and  extend  into  southern  and  western  Iowa. 
The  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  bringing  into  action  their  early  expe 
rience  in  the  bushwhacking  tactics,  soon  put  them  to  flight  and 
their  place  of  rendezvous  was  broken  up.  On  the  27th  the 
combined  bands  of  desperadoes  and  guerrillas,  under  Bill  An 
derson,  Thrailkill,  Poole  and  the  two  Todds,  numbering  nearlv 


188  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

4-00  men,  all  wearing  blue  overcoats,  captured  a  passenger 
train  going  north,  at  Centralia,  a  station  on  the  North  Missouri 
railroad.  They  robbed  the  passengers  and  killed  twenty-three 
soldiers  who  were  on  the  train,  three  only  of  whom  were  armed. 
Among  those  killed  were  seven  veterans  belonging  to  the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry,  as  follows  :  Owen  P.  Gore,  Company  A,  Os<;ar 
B.  Williams  and  George  W.  Dilley,  Company  B,  Edward  Ma- 
dera  and  John  Russell,  Company  C,  Joseph  H.  Arnold,  Com 
pany  E,  and  Charles  Carpenter,  Company  K. 

Those  belonging  to  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  were  going  to  St. 
Joe  on  business,  requiring  no  arms  ;  others  were  on  furlough 
from  General  Banks'  army,  and  a  few  who  had  been  discharged 
from  General  Sherman's  army.  A  construction  train  was  fol 
lowing  the  passenger  train,  which  was  also  captured,  and  the 
engineer  compelled  to  run  his  locomotive  over  the  bodies  of  the 
soldiers  lying  on  the  track-  Two  of  the  soldiers  were  scalped 
and  all  more  or  less  mutilated  after  death.  The  station  was 
burned  and  the  agent  of  the  road  killed.  Not  satisfied  with 
this  inhuman  piece  of  deviltry,  they  set  the  train  on  fire  and 
started  it  off  toward  Sturgeon,  another  station  on  the  road, 
with  the  remaining  passengers  in  it.  The  passengers,  however, 
escaped  and  walked  to  Sturgeon.  About  three  or  four  o'clock 
r.  M.  Major  Johnson,  with  135  men  belonging  to  Colonel  Kutz- 
ner's  regiment  Missouri  State  Militia,  arrived  from  Paris,  the 
county  seat  of  Monroe  county.  An  engagement  ensued,  in 
which  the  militia  wore  badly  defeated.  It  was  reported  at  the 
time  that  but  25  men  returned  to  Paris — f>8  were  left  dead  on 
the  held.  In  this  affair  130  men  were  killed.  It  was  a  most 
cold-blooded  butchery,  unequaled  in  atrocity  by  any  similar  act 
during  the  Avar.  Major  McPermott.  with  a  detachment  of  the 
regiment,  was  immediately  sent  out  in  pursuit,  but  the  bandit 
and  human  hyena  had  made  good  his  escape. 

The  following  interesting  account  of  the  massacre,  by  H.  1. 
Ilolcomb,  late  a  member  of  the  Tenth  Missouri  Infantry,  now 
residing  at  Nevada.  Missouri,  is  here  inserted  : 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  189 

''On  the  25th  of  September,  1864,  a  hand  of  guerrillas, 
hush  whackers,  and  150  recruits  who  had  been  mustered  into 
the  Confederate  service,  all  numbering  about  400  men,  crossed 
the  North  Missouri  railway  (now  the  Wabash)  at  a  point  near 
the  present  site  of  Moberly,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles 
northwest  of  St.  Louis.  They  went  eastward  into  Monroe 
county,  threatening  Paris,  the  county  seat.  The  Confederate 
recruits  were  under  the  command  of  Major  John  Thrailkill. 
The  guerrillas  and  bushwhackers  were  divided  into  squads  and 
companies  of  various  sizes,  led  by  George  Todd.  Bill  Anderson. 
Dave  Poole,  Tom  Todd  and  Si  Gordon,  all  experienced  and 
noted  leaders.  The  master  spirit  was  George  Todd,  who 
planned  all  movements  and  settled  all  controversies.  Tom 
Todd  was  a  Baptist  minister  ! 

•'Learning  that  there  was  a  strong  Federal  force  at  Paris, 
the  guerrillas  turned  southward  toward  Jefferson  City,  resolv 
ing  to  cross  the  Missouri  and  join  the  army  of  General  Price, 
(known  to  them  to  be  already  in  the  State  and  advancing  north 
ward,  and  at  that  time  at  Pilot  Knob, )  as  soon  as  it  should 
come  up  in  that  quarter,  near  the  State  Capital.  They  re- 
crossed  the  North  Missouri  three  miles  east  of  Centralia  and 
thirty  miles  below  where  they  had  crossed  the  previous  day. 
and  went  into  camp  on  the  farm  of  a  Major  Singleton  and  in 
the  timber  along  Young's  creek,  just  in  the  northwest  corner  of 
Callaway,  about  three  miles  from  Centralia. 

•%The  next  morning  (September  27th)  Todd  sent  Bill  Ander 
son  with  his  company  of  75  men  up  to  Centralia  to  reconnoiter 
and  pick  up  information.  A  Federal  detachment  was  at  Stur 
geon,  eight  miles  from  Centralia,  and  another  at  Columbia, 
sixteen  miles  away.  Centralia  was  then  a  small  village  of 
twenty-live  houses,  a  station  on  the  North  Missouri.  Anderson 
rode  in  without  molestation,  (there  were  no  troops  there): 
sacked  the  place,  gutting  the  two  stores ;  robbed  the  stage 
coach  from  Columbia  ;  plundered  the  depot  of  some  cases  of 
boots  and  a  barrel  of  whisky  ;  and,  at  about  twelve  o'clock. 


190  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

captured  the  west-bound  passenger  train  from  St.  Louis.  The 
train — express,  baggage  and  passengers,  all — was  robbed  of 
about  $30,000— not  a  cent  less.  Then  the  cars  were  fired  and 
the  train  started  up  the  road  under  a  full  head  of  steam,  but  it 
ran  only  about  two  miles  when  it  stopped  and  burned  up.  The 
Centralia  depot  and  some  cars  were  also  burned.  On  this  train 
were  twenty-three  Federal  soldiers,  furloughed  men,  and  one 
man  (a  German)  wearing  a  blue  blouse.  The  guerrillas  took 
them  off  the  train,  separated  them  from  the  other  passengers, 
robbed  every  one  of  them,  stripped  the  most  of  them,  then 
stood  them  up  in  line  and  shot  the  twenty-two  soldiers  and  the 
citizen  wearing  the  blue  blouse.  One  soldier,  Sergeant  Tom 
Goodman,  of  the  First  Missouri  Engineers,  (now  at  Santa  Rosa, 
California, )  was  spared  by  the  express  order  of  Bill  Anderson- 
why,  no  one  ever  knew.  The  murdered  soldiers  were  chiefly 
from  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  and  First  Missouri  Engineers.  I 
have  obtained  the  names  of  fifteen  of  them.  Four  of  the  bod 
ies  were  scalped  ;  all  were  shot  more  than  three  times.  After 
this  scene  was  over  the1  guerrillas  returned  to  camp,  yelling  and 
hooting.  Some  of  them  bore  with  them  new  boots  filled  with 
whisky. 

"The  force  at  Paris  was  composed  of  some  companies  of  the 
Thirtieth  Missouri,  a  regiment  which  had  been  in  service  about 
a  month,  but  the  most  of  whose  members  had  served  in  the 
militia  and  wrere  not  altogether  inexperienced.  The  Colonel  of 
the  regiment  was  E.  A.  Kutzner.  The  regiment  was  armed 
only  with  Enfield  muskets  and  bayonets. 

* ;  As  soon  as  it  was  learned  that  the  bushwhackers  had  en 
tered  the  county,  Major  A.  V.  E.  Johnson,  of  the  Thirty-ninth, 
set  out  after  them  with  detachments  of  Companies  A,  G  and  H, 
numbering,  officers  and  all,  147  men.  Nearly  all  his  men  were 
mounted  on  plow  horses,  brood  mares  and  mules,  - k  pressed '" 
from  the  citizens  for  the  occasion.  Company  A.  from  Adair 
county,  was  commanded  by  Captain  James  A.  Smith  ;  Com 
pany  G.  from  Shelby  county,  by  Lieutenants  Jaynes  and  Gill  ; 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  191 

Company  H,  from  Marion  and  Lewis  counties,  by  Captain 
Adam  Theis. 

41  Major  Johnson  soon  took  the  trail  of  the  guerrillas  and  fol 
lowed  it  to  where  it  re-crossed  the  North  Missouri,  arriving  at 
the  latter  point  about  three  P.  M.  of  the  27th.  Seeing  the 
^rnoke  of  the  smoldering  depot  at  Centralia,  three  miles  off, 
the  Major  marched  his  command  up  to  the  little  hamlet  to  in 
vestigate.  Here  he  saw  and  learned  what  had  happened.  With 
all  proper  deliberation  and  coolness  he  prepared  to  act.  While 
in  the  garret  of  the  hotel,  in  company  with  Dr.  A.  F.  Sneed. 
then  and  now  a  citizen  of  Centralia,  engaged  in  reconnoitering 
the  position  of  the  guerrillas  as  well  as  he  could  at  a  distance  of 
three  miles  across  open  country,  the  Major  saw  a  squad  of  them 
approaching  the  town.  Hastily  descending,  he  prepared  to 
attack  them.  In  vain  did  Dr.  Sneed  and  others  remonstrate, 
telling  Johnson  how  many  guerrillas  were  really  down  at  Sin 
gleton's,  how  splendidly  they  were  mounted,  and  how  well  they 
were  armed.  Major  Johnson  had  been  ordered  to  follow  and 
punish  the  bushwhackers.  He  had  pursued  them  for  twenty- 
four  hours  ;  had  come  up  with  them,  and  found  the  mangled 
and  murdered  corpses  of  twenty-two  of  his  comrades  lying  fes 
tering  in  the  sun  ;  a  village  robbed  and  plundered,  and  the 
people  paraly/ed  with  terror.  What  was  he  to  do  I  Turn 
about  and  flee  away  from  danger,  now  that  he  was  in  its  imme 
diate  presence  ?  There  are  those  who  think  he  should  have 
done  so  for  the  sake  of  his  men  ;  but  they  forget  that  his  men 
were  as  eager  as  he  to  advance  on  the  guerrillas.  He  did  his 
duty,  as  became  a  true  soldier. 

ki  k'I  will  light  them  anyhow  ! '  the  brave  officer  declared  to 
Dr.  Sneed.  Mounting  his  horse  he  hastily  formed  his  men  into 
line.  Detaching  Captain  Theis  with  his  company  of  30  men  to 
remain  in  the  village.  Major  Johnson  marched  out  to  meet  An 
derson's  company,  behind  which  was  Poole's,  all  the  guerrillas 
that  could  be  seen.  The  line  halted  and  iixed  bayonets.  John 
son  rode  twenty  paces  to  the  front,  and  halted,  sitting  motion- 


192  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

less  on  his  horse,  his  revolver  in  his  right  hand.  The  guerrillas 
were  preparing  to  charge  him — he  could  see  that. 

"But  Major  Johnson  could  not  see  all  of  his  fearful  peril ; 
at  least,  it  is  believed  he  could  not.  The  fallow  cornfield  was  a 
sort  of  moraine,  sloping  to  the  east.  On  either  side,  running 
into  Young's  creek  from  west  to  east  was  what  we  in  the  West 
call  a  slough,  a  sort  of  ravine  filjed  with  plum  bushes,  crab 
apple,  hazel  and  other  brush.  Behind  this  line  of  brush,  se 
curely  hidden,  and  lying  down  on  their  horses,  with  one  foot  in 
the  stirrup  and  the  other  on  the  ground,  were  hundreds  of  guer 
rillas,  the  most  desperate  men  then  in  existence,  the  best  pistol 
shots  in  America.  On  the  north  were  Thrailkill,  Gordon  and 
Tom  Todd  ;  on  the  south  George  Todd.  In  the  center  was  Bill 
Anderson,  and  lapping  his  line  in  the  rear  was  Dave  Poole. 

' '  When  George  Todd  had  gotten  his  men  into  position  as  he 
wanted  them,  he  lifted  his  hat  to  Bill  Anderson,  the  latter  lifted 
his  hat  to  Poole,  and  then  with  a  great  yell  Anderson  dashed 
forward.  Johnson's  men  could  tire  but  one  volley,  and  this 
they  did.  In  a  moment  Anderson  and  his  band  were  upon 
them  ;  then  Poole  and  his  men  ;  then  the  Todds,  Thrailkill  and 
Gordon  came  swarming  up  from  the  flanks,  and  the  bloody 
work  was  soon  over.  No  quarter  was  shown  to  a  single  Fed 
eral  ;  perhaps  none  was  asked.  The  guerrillas  say  the  most  of 
the  Federals  died  fighting — striking  with  their  muskets,  stab 
bing  and  thrusting  with  their  bayonets.  Major  Johnson  tired 
three  shots  from  his  revolver,  and  was  then  shot  out  of  his  sad 
dle,  a  bullet  through  his  temple.  Lieutenants  Jaynes,  Gill  and 
Moore  escaped,  being  mounted. 

'w  Anderson  and  Poole  kept  on  for  the  *  fourth  men"  hold 
ing  the  horses,  and  in  five  minutes  were  in  Centralist.  Fifteen 
men  were  killed  between  the  field  and  the  village.  Lieutenant 
Jaynes,  (now  living  near  Hunnewell,  Shelby  county,)  was  the 
first  in  town  from  the  scene  of  carnage.  Captain  Theis  tried 
to  form  his  company  and  fight,  but  before  he  could  do  so  the 
guerrillas  were  upon  them.  All  that  could  then  set  out  for 


C,  A,  CHASE, 

COMPANY     L. 


HISTORY  OF  FIKST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  193 

Sturgeon.  Fifteen  of  Theis's  company  (H)  were  killed  in  Cen- 
tralia  and  on  the  road  to  Sturgeon.  Some  were  killed  in  out 
houses,  and  one  was  murdered  by  the  bedside  of  a  sick  lad}'. 
One  citizen  was  killed  by  the  guerrillas. 

kk  Out  of  the  147  men  under  Johnson's  command  but  23  es 
caped,  for  123  were  killed,  and  one,  Frank  Barnes,  of  Company 
H,  was  wounded — shot  five  times.  Company  A  lost  56  men 
killed,  including  Captain  Smith  ;  Company  G>  51  men  killed  ; 
Company  H,  15  killed,  1  wounded.  The  guerrillas  lost  but  3 
killed  and  10  wounded.  Major  Johnson  had  a  small  piece  of 
his  scalp  taken.  Six  or  eight  others  were  scalped,  and  Samuel 
Bell,  of  Company  G,  was  mutilated  in  a  revolting  manner  not 
to  be  described.  Some  of  the  bodies  were  buried  at  Mexico. 
Missouri ;  others  by  the  citizens  at  Centralia.  Friends  came 
and  carried  away  many.  Major  Johnson  was  buried  in  Mar 
ion  county,  not  far  from  his  home. 

"It  is  but  proper  that  1  should  say  that  the  reports  which 
have  been  circulated  that  Major  Johnson  carried  a  black  flag  at 
the  head  of  his  command  ;  that  he  cursed  and  swore  at  the  citi 
zens  of  Centralia,  threatening  them  with  dire  vengeance  when 
he  should  return  from  the  battlefield,  and  that  he  was  drunk  at 
the  time  and  did  not  know  what  he  was  doing,  are  all  cruel  and 
malicious  slanders  wholly  without  foundation.  Major  Johnson 
was  a  school  teacher,  and  sometimes  officiated  as  a  minister. 
He  was  an  honorable,  Christian  gentleman,  temperate  at  all 
times,  and  the  people  of  Centralia  say  he  spoke  kindly  to  and 
with  sympathy  for  them.  He  perhaps  did  not  know  how 
largely  the  guerrillas  outnumbered  his  men,  but  no  doubt  if  he 
had  he  would  have  moved  against  them  just  the  same.  He 
said,  c  I  will  fight  them  anyhow. ' 

kkThe  guerrillas  carried  from  two  to  six  Colt's  navy  revolvers 
each,  and  were  quite  proficient  in  their  use.  Their  horses  were 
also  the  best  in  Missouri.  The  Federals  had  only  muskets  and 
bayonets  for  arms,  and  generally  miserable  hacks  of  horses. 

"Frank  James,  the   noted    bandit,  was  at  Centralia,  a  mem- 
25 


194  HISTORY  OF 'FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ber  of    Anderson's    company.      His    brother,    Jesse,    was    not 
present. ' ' 

About  one  month  afterward,  (October  27th,)  this  fiend  incar 
nate  with  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the  so-called  Confederate 
army,  and  so  recognized  by  that  chief  of  * '  skedaddlers, ' '  Gen 
eral  Sterling  Price,  was  killed  during  the  ^  Price  raid"  in 
Missouri,  near  the  town  of  Albany,  on  Fishing  creek,  in  the 
southeast  portion  of  Ray  county,  in  an  engagement  with  a  de 
tachment  of  the  Third  Regiment  M.  8.  M.,  and  was  buried  in 
an  old  cemetery  at  Richmond,  a  town  in  Ray  county,  about  ten 
miles  northeast  from  Albany.  The  following  in  reference  to 
this  desperado  is  from  the  Illustrated  History  of  Missouri,  by 
Colonel  W.  F.  Swit/ler  :  "-Upon  the  body  of  the  brigand 
Anderson  was  found  three  hundred  dollars  in  gold,  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars  in  treasury  notes,  six  revolvers,  and  sev 
eral  orders  from  Gwwral  Price.  Dangling  from  both  sides  of 
the  bridle  of  Anderson's  saddle  horse  were  several  scalps  of  hu 
man  heads.  This  statement  has  often  been  denied,  but  it  is 
true.""  The  following,  are  two  oi  General  Price's  orders: 

(Special  Order.) 
HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  MISSOURI. 

BOONEVILLE,  October  llth.  1864. 

Captain  Anderson  with  his  command  will  at  once  proceed  to  the 
north  side  of  the  Missouri  river,  and  permanently  destroy  the  North 
Missouri  railroad,  going  as  far  east  as  practicable.  He  will  report  his 
operations  at  least  every  two  days. 

By  order  of  Major  General  Price.  McLEAN. 

lAeutenant  Colonel  and  A.  A.  <j. 

OCTOBER   16th.    1864. 
To  Officer*  in  <-har</e  of  Ferry  Boat  : 

Captain  Anderson  with  his  command  will  be  crossed  to  the  other  side 
of  the  river,  after  which  the   ferry  boat  will  await  orders  on  this  side. 
By  order  of  Major  General  Price.  MoLEAN. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  and  A.  A.  (?. 

General  Price  with  a  following  of  25,000  men  in  his  raid 
into  the  State  having  reached  the  vicinity  of  Jefferson  City,  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  195 

regiment  with  the  Thirty-ninth  Missouri  Infantry  were  ordered 
to  that  place.  Leaving  Mexico  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of 
October,  and  marching  by  the  way  of  Concord,  Fulton,  New 
Bloomfield  and  Hibernia,  the  command  arrived  at  Jefferson  City 
at  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.  of  the  6th.  A  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  had  taken  place  on  the  Osage  river,  about  eight  miles 
distant  to  the  southeast,  and  there  was  much  excitement  in  the 
city.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  k '  boots  and  saddles ' '  was 
sounded  at  four  o'clock,  and  the  regiment  ordered  into  position 
on  a  fortified  hill,  the  property  of  a  Judge  Miller.  The  enemy 
made  an  attack  upon  the  place  at  about  eleven  o'clock,  which 
was  continued  until  nearly  dark,  with  severe  loss  to  him.  The 
veterans  wer.e  now  in  command  of  Major  John  McPermott. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell,  having  served  faithfully  and  well 
for  more  than  three  years,  was  honorably  discharged  the  service. 
On  the  8th  the  enemy  had  fallen  back,  and  Surgeon  Lothrop 
was  ordered  out  with  ambulances  to  bring  in  the  wounded. 
After  proceeding  some  five  miles  he  found  two  of  our  men  and 
seven  of  the  enemy  wounded.  A  rebel  Major  Bowie  and  n 
Captain  Kee  were  so  severely  wounded  that  they  could  not  he 
moved,  and  were  left  at  a  house  in  charge  of  Assistant  Surgeon 
Looby  of  the  rebel  army.  Assistant  Surgeon  Barrett,  also  of 
the  rebel  army,  was  ordered  to  accompany  the  wounded  rebels 
to  the  city.  On  arriving  at. the  city  the  wounded  were  sent  to 
hospital,  and  at  five  o'clock  r.  M.  the  regiment  with  the  cavalry 
division,  in  command  of  Brigadier  General  Sanborn,  wrere  or 
dered  to  pursue  the  retreating  enemy  and  attack  his  rear  at 
every  favorable  opportunity.  This  order  was  strictly  obeyed, 
and  the  favorable  opportunity  was  frequent. 

The  object  of  this  movement  was  not  to  bring  on  a  general 
engagement,  but  to  harass  and  delay  the  enemy  in  order  that 
reinforcements  which  were  now  on  a  rapid  march  might  over 
take  him  and  give  him  battle.  The  cavalry  division  performed 
its  work  well.  The  division  left  the  city  on  the  road  leading  to 
the  town  of  California,  and  camped  for  the  night  on  a  branch 


196  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

of  Morean  creek,  about  nine  miles  distant  west  from  the  city. 
On  the  9th  it  marched  at  daylight,  and  attacked  the  rear  of  the 
enemy  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  at  a  small  town  called  String- 
town.  Passing  through  Russell ville,  we  arrived  at  California 
about  dark.  Here  the  enemy  was  so  closely  pressed  that  he 
was  obliged  to  halt  and  give  us  battle,  but  he  soon  retreated 
and  gave  us  possession  of  the  town.  On  the  morning  of  the 
10th  we  were  again  in  pursuit.  Passed  through  Clarksville,  a 
small  station  on  the  Pacific  railroad,  about  nine  o'clock.  The 
station  house  and  a  warehouse  had  been  fired  and  were  still 
burning.  At  twelve  o'clock  we  were  at  Tipton.  This  town  for 
some  reason  had  not  been  molested  by  the  enemy.  At  dark  we 
camped  about  twelve  miles  distant  from  Booneville,  the  county 
seat  of  Cooper  county,  near  a  small  town  called  Coal  Bank. 
Here  a  wounded  rebel  was  taken  prisoner.  On  the  llth,  when 
about  eight  miles  distant  from  Booneville,  a  portion  of  the  divis 
ion  was  ordered  to  move  up  to  Wilkinson's  bridge  on  Saline 
creek,  and  from  there  seven  miles  to  the  road  leading  to  George 
town.  Remaining  at  this  place  until  one  o'clock  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  12th,  we  returned  to  Wilkinson's  bridge.  The  ene 
my  had  been  so  greatly  annoyed  and  delayed  that  he  turned  his 
forces  upon  us  and  determined  to  give  us  battle — but  we  de 
clined  "with  thanks, '"'  and  countermarched  through  the  little 
town  of  Pisgah  to  California,  arriving  at  that  place  at  sunset. 
The  expected  reinforcements  arrived  during  the  night,  and  after 
"drawing  rations"  on  the  morning  of  the  13th  the  march  to 
the  front  was  commenced  on  the  same  road  the  march  of  the 
previous  day  had  been  made.  We  passed  through  the  town  of 
Pisgah  and  left  the  road  leading  to  Booneville  when  within 
about  eight  miles  of  the  latter  place,  and  passed  through  the 
towns  of  Palestine  and  Bellair,  camping  at  Nebo  Church,  on 
the  road  leading  to  Georgetown.  At  this  place  Surgeon  Lo- 
throp  was  ordered  to  report  for  duty  to  Colonel  J.  F.  Phillips, 
Seventh  Missouri  State  Militia,  commanding  First  Brigade,  as 
•k  Senior  Surgeon'' — thereby  placing  Assistant  Surgeon  Hervey 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  197 

in  charge  of  the  medical  department  of  the  regiment.  On  the 
morning  of  the  14th  the  command  marched  at  five  o'clock  on 
the  road  leading  to  Georgetown,  and  reached  that  place  about 
noon.  After  halting  a  short  time  it  marched  in  a  northeasterly 
direction  on  the  road  leading  to  the  town  of  Lexington,  the 
county  seat  of  Lafayette  county,  situated  on  the  Missouri  river. 
After  marching  seventeen  miles  we  camped  about  eight  P.  M. 
near  the  little  town  of  Dunksburg,  at  a  crossing  of  a  road  lead 
ing  from  Warrensburg  to  Marshall,  the  county  seat  of  Saline 
county.  On  the  15th  General  Price's  army  was  reported  to  be 
at  Marshall.  The  command  marched  at  two  o'clock  P.  M. 
and  camped  at  Cook's  Store,  a  little  town  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  Lafayette  county,  twenty-three  miles  distant  southeast 
from  Lexington.  On  the  16th  reconnoissances  were  made  by 
the  First  and  Fourth  Regiments  Missouri  State  Militia  in  the 
direction  of  Waverly,  a  town  on  the  Missouri  river.  The  town 
of  Sedalia  was  captured  by  the  enemy  about  two  P.  M.  yester 
day,  and  he  is  reported  to  be  marching  on  Warrensburg. 

17th.  The  enemy  held  possession  of  Sedalia  but  a  short 
time.  The  command  count ermarched  and  camped  on  the  south 
fork  of  Black  river.  This  evening  the  enemy  attacked  our 
pickets.  Generals  A.  J.  Smith's  and  Pleasanton's  forces  are  at 
Sedalia,  General  Rosecrans  has  taken  the  field,  and  a  reor 
ganization  of  the  army  has  taken  place.  General  Smith  is  in 
command  of  the  infantry,  and  General  Pleasanton  in  command 
of  the  cavalry,  and  preparations  are  made  for  a  swift  and  vig 
orous  campaign.  The  regiment  is  ordered  to  report  to  General 
Rosecrans  as  body  guard. 

On  the  19th  the  regiment  marched  to  Sedalia,  and  on  the 
20th,  General  Rosecrans  having  arrived  from  St.  Louis,  we 
reported  to  him  for  duty.  At  twelve  o'clock  we  marched, 
and  camped  at  ten  o'clock  p.  M.  at  Dunksburg.  On  the  even 
ing  of  the  21st  we  camped  at  Lexington,  having  made  a  hard 
day's  march.  General  Price  left  this  place  this  morning  (21st), 


198  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

with  General  Pleasanton  in  so  close  pursuit  as  to  compel  Price 
to  halt  and  do  some  fighting  with  severe  loss. 

On  the  22d  General  Blunt  with  his  forces  from  Kansas  were 
in  the  enemy's  front,  while  General  Pleasanton  with  his  cavalry 
and  artillery  was  pressing  his  rear.  During  the  night  couriers 
reported  the  capture  of  two  pieces  of  artillery,  and  500  of  the 
enemy  taken  prisoners. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d  we  marched  at  six  A.  M.,  and 
arrived  at  Independence,  the  county  seat  of  Jackson  county,  at 
dark,  having  inarched  forty  miles.  During  the  march  a  report 
of  the  capture  of  another  piece  of  artillery  and  2,000  men  ta 
ken  prisoners  was  received.  The  bridge  over  Little  Blue  river 
was  burned  by  General  Blunt  to  impede  the  progress  of  the 
enemy.  A  severe  engagement  occurred  at  Westport,  a  town 
about  five  miles  distant  south  from  Kansas  City,  between 
the  advance  of  General  Price's  army  and  General  Blunt's  forces. 
At  the  same  time  a  severe  engagement  occurred  between  the 
rear  of  Price's  forces  and  the  force  under  General  Pleasantou 
at  Byram's  Ford,  on  the  Big  Blue  river.  Distance  marched, 
forty  miles. 

24th.  Marched  this  morning,  taking  the  road  leading  to 
Little  Santa  Fe,  in  Johnson  county,  Kansas,  near  the  Missouri 
State  line.  Passing  through  the  little  towns  of  Ray  town  and 
Hickman's  Mills,  we  reached  little  Santa  Fe  at  dark,  marching 
a  distance  of  thirty  miles. 

On  the  25th  we  left  Little  Santa  Fe  in  a  severe  rain 
storm.  Marched  southerly  by  the  way  of  the  Kansas  and 
Missouri  State  line  road.  Passed  through  the  little  town  of 
Janesville,  in  Cass  county,  and  camped  at  a  place  called  u  k  Cold 
Spring  Grove,'1  on  a  broad  and  extensive  'plain,  in  Miami 
county,  Kansas.  Distance  marched,  thirty-five  miles.  This 
place  is  called  Cold  Spring  Grove  from  the  fact  that  a  large 
spring  of  clear  cold  water  issues  from  the  earth,  surrounded  by 
a  grove  of  timber.  There  is  no  other  grove  of  timber  within 
view.  During  the  day  we  passed  over  many  miles  of  prairie. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  199 

with  nothing  but  prairie  and  the  broad  expanse  of  heaven  with 
in  the  range  of  vision.  Neither  wood  nor  water  could  be  ob 
tained.  In  the  meantime  our  forces  had  engaged  the  enemy 
at  various  times  and  places.  He  had  suffered  great  loss,  and 
was  now  in  a  most  demoralized  retreat  for  the  Arkansas  river. 

Having  received  reliable  information  as  to  the  defeat  of  Gen 
eral  Price's  army,  General  Rosecrans  with  his  body  guard  left 
Cold  Spring  Grove  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  at  daylight,  and 
countermarched  to  Missouri,  arriving  at  Warrensburg,  the 
county  seat  of  Johnson  county,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  hav 
ing  passed  through  the  towns  of  Janesville,  Harrisonville, 
Pleasant  Hill,  Kingsville  and  Haden.  Here  reports  were  re 
ceived  of  the  complete  rout  and  demoralization  of  the  enemy. 
Five  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  large  portion  of  his  train  were 
captured,  and  a  large  number  of  his  men  taken  prisoners, 
among  whom  were  Generals  Marmaduke,  Cabell,  Crawford  and 
others. 

October  31st.  Generals  Marmaduke,  Cabell  and  Crawford, 
with  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  were  brought  in  to-day. 
This  was  a  most  disastrous  campaign  for  rebeldom.  General 
Price  had  been  assured  that  Missouri  was  again  ripe  for  rebell 
ion,  and  that  an  army  of  25,000  men  would  rally  to  his  sup 
port  as  soon  as  he  entered  the  State.  Information  from  relia 
ble  sources  show  that  about  6,000  men  joined  his  army;  and 
much  of  this  material  was  composed  of  marauding  bands  of 
guerrillas  and  desperadoes  who  had  again  infested  the  State. 
The  enemy  was  pursued  along  the  Kansas  and  Missouri  State 
line  into  the  Indian  Territory,  to  a  place  called  Weber's  Falls, 
on  the  Arkansas  river,  about  fifty  miles  west  from  Fort  Smith. 
General  Price's  army  of  about  30,000  men  became  little  more 
than  a  demoralized  mob  of  a  few  thousand  men,  with  no  train, 
and  with  but  two  pieces  of  artillery  saved  from  capture.  This 
was  essentially  a  cavalry  and  artillery  campaign.  General 
Sanborn's  cavalry  division,  by  harassing  the  enemy,  caused 
delay,  and  gave  General  Pleasanton  with  his  command  an  op- 


200  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

portunity  to  overtake  him.  General  A.  J.  Smith's  infantry  were 
veterans  and  rapid  c '  marchers. ' '  but  the  enemy  was  still  more 
rapid  in  his  retreat,  and  the  cavalry  so  impetuous  in  their  at 
tacks  and  pursuit,  that  General  Smith's  veterans  could  but  sel 
dom  get  sufficiently  near  the  retreating  forces  to  obtain  a  smell 
of  powder  upon  their  war  worn  battle-flags. 

On  the  morning  of  November  2d  General  Rosecrans,  with  a 
portion  of  his  staff  officers  and  nine  pieces  of  the  captured 
artillery,  left  Warrensburg  for  St.  Louis  by  the  way  of  the 
Pacific  railroad.  A  detachmeat  of  the  regiment  accompanied 
him  as  train  guard.  The  remaining  portion  left  at  eight  A.  M. 
for  Jefferson  City.  Passing  through  Sedalia,  Farmer's  City, 
Smithton,  Otterville,  Syracuse,  Round  Hill,  California,  Look 
out  Station,  we  arrived  at  Jefferson  City  at  about  three  o'clock 
i>.  M.  of  the  6th. 

A  severe  rain  storm  followed  by  a  snow  storm  set  in  soon 
after  leaving  Warrensburg,  and  the  weather  became  extremely 
cold.  Snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  from  six  inches  to  a  foot,  and 
there  was  much  suffering  among  the  men. 

November  8th.  Election  day.  Polls  were  opened,  and  the 
result  of  the  ballot  was  :  For  President — 391  for  Lincoln,  2 
for  McClellan,  and  1  blank.  The  returns  from  Clinton  county 
gave  a  unanimous  vote  of  28  for  Lincoln. 

On  the  9th  we  were  ordered  to  march  for  St.  Louis.  On 
arriving  at  the  Morean  river,  on  the  road  leading  to  Arrow 
Rock,  it  was  found  that  the  river  was  impassible  by  fording, 
on  account  of  the  high  stage  of  water,  and  we  countermarched 
to  a  camp  in  a  grove  about  one  mile  distant  south  from  the 
city,  and  an  order  to  await  transportation  by  boats,  which  had 
already  been  ordered  to  be  furnished,  was  received.  This  was 
another  cold  and  -disagreeable  day,  snowing  and  freezing,  and 
the  men  suffered  much  from  exposure. 

On  the  12th  two  steamers  'arrived  to  transport  us  to  St. 
Louis.  Assistant  Surgeon  Hervey  was  placed  in  charge  as 
medical  officer  of  one  of  the  boats.  A  portion  of  the  veter- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  201 

ans  left  the  city  on  the  13th  and  the  remainder  on  the  14th, 
and  arrived  at  St.  Louis  on  the  15th  and  16th.  On  the  trip  to 
St.  Louis  we  came  in  contact  with  a  number  of  snags  and  sand 
bars,  but  had  a  very  enjoyable  time. 

The  veterans  were  now  once  more  in  quarters  at  Benton  Bar 
racks.  We  remained  at  St.  Louis  until  December  19th,  pre 
paring  for  active  service  in  the  field  again.  Major  General 
Rosecrans  expressed  himself  as  greatly  pleased  with  his  veteran 
body  guard,  and  the  many  favors  granted  the  li  boys  ""  while  in 
the  city  was  conclusive  proof  of  the  sincerity  of  his  commenda 
tions.  The  hospital  was  especially  favored.  A  new  and  most 
complete  outfit  was  furnished  it.  Ample  preparations  having 
been  made,  the  veterans  left  St.  Louis  on  the  19th  by  the  way 
of  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Central  railroads  for 
Cairo,  Illinois,  arriving  at  that  place  about  seven  o'clock  P.  M. 
on  the  20th.  On  the  next  day  (21st)  we  embarked  on  the 
steamers  Rose  Hambleton  and  Alexander  Spear,  and  arrived  at 
Memphis  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  and  at  the  mouth  of 
White  river,  Arkansas,  about  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
24th.  Here  we  passed  the  steamer  Alexander  Spear,  having 
the  other  portion  of  the  veterans  on  board,  it  having  become 
disabled.  On  the  25th  we  enjoyed  a  nice  Christmas  dinner  on 
board  the  boat,  and  arrived  at  DuvalFs  Blurt'  on  White  river 
about  ten  o'clock  p.  M.  On  the  26th  we  left  DuvalPs  Bluff'  at 
daylight,  by  the  way  of  Brownsville  and  Bayou  Metoe,  and 
arrived  at  Little  Rock  about  four  o'clock  p.  M..  December  28th. 
The  other  portion  of  the  veterans,  who  embarked  on  the  other 
steamer,  arrived  at  Little  Rock  December  29th,  by  said  road. 
Colonel  William  Thompson,  after  the  expiration  of  the  veteran 
furlough,  returned  June  20th  to  Little  Rock.  Upon  the  arrival 
of  the  veterans  at  that  place  he  assumed  command  of  the  regi 
ment. 

During   the  time  the  veterans  were  on    furlough  and  in  ser 
vice    in    Missouri,    the    non-veterans   and    recruits,    numbering 

2(5 


202  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

some  700,  under  command  of  Major  J.  D.  Jenks,  were  engaged 
in  scouting  and  outpost  duty. 

Up  to  this  time,  December  31st,  the  following  additional 
changes  had  taken  place  in  the  personal  history  of  the  regiment : 

Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  W.  Caldwell,  Adjutant  J.  A.  Donnell. 
Captains  Thomas  Jones,  Company  C,  David  C.  Dinsmore,  Com 
pany  I,  and  James  P.  Crosby,  Company  M,  First  Lieutenants 
Jacob  Hursh,  Company  F,  and  Charles  F.  Keeler.  Company  K. 
were  honorably  discharged  the  service. 

First  Lieutenant  Silas  R.  Nugen,  Company  E.  Captain  Thos. 
H.  Barnes,  Company  K,  and  First  and  Second  Lieutenants  El- 
kanah  S.  Foster  and  Solomon  Smith,  Company  G,  had  resigned. 

Major  A.  G.  McQueen  had  been  promoted  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  Henry  L.  Morrill  to  Adjutant.  Second  Lieutenant 
William  B.  Coulter  and  Sergeant  Christian  C.  Kaufman,  Com 
pany  E,  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants,  and  Dr.  Asa  Morgan 
commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  from  civil  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1864  the  young  State  of  Iowa,  with 
a  population  in  round  numbers  of  700.000.  had  sent  to  the 
Held  75,475  men — almost  one-ninth  of  her  population — a  most 
glorious  record  for  the  then  young  State.  The  militia  returns 
for  the  year  were  86,600  men.  She  had  sent  into  the  Held 
forty-eight  regiments  of  infantry,  nine  regiments  of  cavalry, 
and  four  batteries,  and  many  of  her  citizens  were  found  in 
regiments  from  Illinois,  Missouri,  Kansas.  Nebraska.  Wiscon 
sin,  Dakota,  and  other  States. 


1865. 

The  autumn  of  1864  had  been  fraught  with  such  glorious  rev 
suits  that  already  the  dawn  of  peace  could  he  distinctly  seen  in 
the  broadening  rays  of  an  unclouded  sun  of  victory,  as  it  arose 
in  splendor  in  the  eastern  horizon  on  the  morning  of  the  New 
Year. 

Sheridan  had  met  with  unprecedented  success  in  the  valley 
of  the  Shenandoah. 

Sherman  had  commenced  his  memorable  march  to  the  sea  ; 
Grant  had  Lee  kk  well  in  hand  ;'*  and  the  Western  troops  beyond 
the  Mississippi  had  with  characteristic  Western  energy  placed 
the  rebel  hordes  in  that  section  in  a  most  demoralized  condition, 
and  the  young  State  of  Iowa  was  justly  proud  of  the  part  her 
soldiers  had  taken  in  producing  this  most  gratifying  condition 
of  affairs. 

The  following  official  copy  of  an  extract  of  a  dispatch  from 
the  self-styled  Governor  of  Louisiana  to  the  rebel  Secretary  of 
War  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  indicates  the  condition  of  affairs 
in  that  portion  of  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy  : 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  WEST  MISSISSIPPI. 

NEW  ORLEANS.  LOUISIANA.  October  llth,  1864. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  58. 

The  subjoined  extract  from  a  dispatch  from  Henry  W.  Allen,  styling' 
himself  Governor  of  Louisiana,  to  the  Rebel  Secretary  of  War,  is  pub 
lished  for  general  information  : 

EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  SHKEVEPORT,  LOUISIANA,  September  26th,  1864. 
HON.  JAMES  A.  SEDDON,  Secretary  of  War,  Kichmond,  Virginia: 

My  Dear  Sir:  *****  xhe  time  has  come  for  us  to  put  into  the  arrny 
every  able-bodied  negro  man  as  a  soldier.  This  should  be  done  immediately.  Congress* 


^04  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

should,  at  the  coming  session,  take  action  on  this  most  important  question.  The  negro 
knows  that  he  cannot  escape  conscription  if  he  goes  to  the  enemy.  He  must  play  an 
important  part  in  the  war.  He  caused  the  fight,  and  he  will  have  his  portion  of  the  bur 
den  to  bear. 

We  have  learned  from  dear  bought  experience  that  negroes  can  be  taught  to  fight, 
and  that  all  who  leave  us  are  made  to  fight  against  us.  I  would  free  all  able  to  bear 
arms,  and  put  them  into  the  field  at  once.  They  will  make  much  better  soldiers  with  us 
than  against  us,  and  swell  the  now  depleted  ranks  of  our  armies.  I  beg  you  to  give 
this  your  earnest  attention. 

With  assurance  of  my  friendly  regard  and  very  high  esteem,  I  remain, 
[Signed.]  \rery  respectfully,  your  obedient,  servant, 

HENRY  W.  ALLEN,  Governor  of  Louisiana. 

The  class  of  persons  to  whom  it  refers  will  not  be  conscripted  into 
the  armies  of  the  United  States.  If  they  come  within  our  lines  all 
will  be  freed,  and  they  will  be  received  and  treated  as  refugees.  They 
will  be  accepted  as  volunteers,  or  will  be  employed  in  the  public  ser 
vice,  and  their  families  will  be  cared  for  until  they  are  in  a  condition  to 
care  for  them.  If  a  draft  should  become  necessary,  no  discrimination 
against  them  will  be  made  in  the  enrollment  or  draft. 
By  order  of  Major  General  E.  R.  S.  Canby. 

C.  T.  CHRISTEN  SEN, 

Official  :  Lt.  Colonel,  Ass't  Adjutant  General. 

— .    Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

It  appears  that  they  had  learned  from  dear  bought  experi 
ence  that  negroes  could  be  taught  to  tight,  and  tk  they  will 
make  much  better  soldiers  with  than  against  us,  and  will  swell 
the  now  depleted  ranks  of  our  armies/' 

Upon  our  arrival  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  we  found  that 
our  comrades,  who  had  served  faithfully  for  a  period  of  three 
years,  had  been  honorably  discharged,  and  had  departed  for 
home  and  citizen  life,  and  that  their  places  had  been  tilled  by 
men  ready  and  anxious  to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  Union, 
and  to  sustain  the  reputation  for  daring  deeds  and  soldierly 
bearing  of  the  brave  old  regiment. 

Major  General  J.  J.  Reynolds  was  now  in  command  of  the 
Department  of  Arkansas  and  Seventh  Army  Corps  ;  Brigadier 
General  »J.  K.  West  in  command  of  the  cavalry  division  of  the 
Seventh  Army  Corps;  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  G.  McQueen, 
First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Inspector  General  of  Cavalry,  (Second 
Brigade. ) 

The  regiment  remained  in  camp,  doing   scouting  and  outpost 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  205 

duty,  until  January  22d.  On  the  6th  Dr.  Asa  Morgan,  who 
had  been  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  regiment,  reported 
for  duty. 

January  14th  Major  Jenks,  with  detachments  of  the  First 
Iowa  and  other  regiments,  was  ordered  by  boat  to  Dardanelle, 
about  one  hundred  miles  up  the  Arkansas  river,  at  which  place 
he  engaged  a  rebel  force  of  1,600  men  under  General  Cooper, 
killing  and  wounding  90.  For  his  bravery,  the  successful  man 
agement  and  termination  of  the  affair,  he  was  breveted  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  United  States  Volunteers. 

During  this  time  the  rebel  General  Greene,  having  his  head 
quarters  at  Pigeon  Hill,  in  Marion  county,  on  the  Ouachita 
river,  a  short  distance  below  Camden,  and  a  distance  of  about 
eighty  miles  south  from  Little  Rock,  had  been  attacking  our 
pickets,  making  forays  upon  our  forage  trains,  and  committing 
depredations  generally.  To  prevent  further  annoyance  from 
this  source,  on  the  22d  an  expedition  under  the  command  of 
Brigadier  General  E.  A.  Carr,  composed  of  the1  following 
regiments  :  First.  Iowa,  First  and  Third  Missouri  and  Tenth 
Illinois  Cavalry,  Twenty-ninth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  the  Twenty - 
fifth  Ohio  battery — -Colonel  William  Thompson  commanding 
the  Second  Cavalry  Brigade,  and  Major  John  McDermott  com 
manding  the  regiment.  Lieutenant  Samuel  T.  Craig.  Company 
H,  was  appointed  Brigade  Quartermaster,  and  Surgeon  Lo- 
throp  Senior  Surgeon  of  Brigade  (Second.)  The  command 
left  Little  Rock  about  eleven  A.  M.  and  marched  on  the  road 
leading  to  Pine  Bluff,  and  camped  in  a  severe  snow  storm, 
about  eighteen  miles  distant  from  Little  Rock.  (The  account  of 
this  expedition  and  subsequent  events  is  taken  from  my- notes 
made  at  the  time.) 

January  23d.  Marched  this  morning  and  camped  eighteen 
miles  distant  from  Pine  Bluff,  with  good  water  and  plenty  of 
wood.  Brigadier  General  E.  A.  Carr  and  staff  came  up  this 
evening. 

January  24th.      Marched  this  morning  at  sunrise.      Pleasant 


206  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

weather  ;  snow  gone.  Reached  Pine  Bluff  about  noon,  and 
camped  about  two  miles  from  the  town,  on  the  Mt.  Elba  and 
Monticello  road,  in  timber,  beside  a  small  stream  of  water. 

January  25th.  The  infantry  came  up  to-day.  The  weather 
has  become  cold.  The  roads  are  muddy  and  the  mud  freezes 
at  night. 

January  26th.  Marched  this  morning  at  daylight.  The 
cross  road  leading  to  the  Mt.  Elba  road  is  very  bad  and  our 
progress  is  slow.  The  infantry  came  up  behind  us.  This 
evening  we  are  in  camp  about  three  miles  distant  north  from 
the  little  town  of  Delhi,  on  the  Mt.  Elba  road,  six  miles  dis 
tant  from  Big  creek,  a  branch  of  the  Saline  river,  fifteen  miles 
from  Mt.  Elba  and  fifteen  miles  from  Pine  Bluff.  A  company 
of  fifty  or  sixty  rebels  are  reported  to  be  in  this  vicinity. 

January  27th.  Marched  this  morning  at  six,  with  three 
days'  rations  in  our  haversacks.  Arrived  at  Mt.  Elba,  on  the 
Saline  river,  at  twelve  M.  A  scouting  party  which  had  been  sent 
down  the  Saline  river  returned,  having  met  a  rebel  force  of  sixty 
men  under  a  Captain  Snell.  The  rebels  lost  two  men  killed 
and  ten  prisoners.  Our  loss  was  one  killed — name,  regiment 
and  company  unknown. 

The  pontoon  bridge  having  been  laid  across  the  river  at  this 
place,  (Mt.  Elba,)  the  cavalry  crossed  at  five  P.  M.  and  camped 
about  four  miles  distant  from  the  river  and  four  miles  from 
Marks1  Mills.  The  infantry  remained  at  Mt.  Elba, 

January  28th.  Marched  this  morning  at  daylight,  and  ar 
rived  at  Marks1  Mills,  on  the  road  leading  to  Princeton,  with 
out  meeting  the  enemy.  Leaving  Marks'  Mills,  we  passed  over 
the  old  battlefield  where  Lieutenant  Colonel  Drake,  Thirty-sixth 
Iowa  Infantry,  fought  one  of  the  most  heroic  battles  of  the 
rebellion  but  was  defeated  by  an  overwhelming  force.  The 
shallow  graves  had  been  opened  by  hogs  and  other  animals, 
and  the  skulls  and  other  bones  of  the  dead  soldiers  were  exposed 
to  view,  and  the  marks  of  that  severe  conflict  were  everywhere 
present.  Passing  on  we  crossed  Moro  Bottom  or  Swamp,  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  207 

scene  of  the  retreat  of  our  regiment  less  than  one  year  ago. 
The  bridge  still  remains  the  same  as  then,  and  the  old  stump  on 
which  I  sat  at  the  time  of  the  attack  upon  us  is  just  as  promi 
nent  and  inviting  as  a  place  of  rest  as  then,  and  the  bottom  is 
still  as  muddy.  When  within  about  two  miles  of  Camden. 
Lieutenant  Dow  of  Company  F  having  the  advance,  came  upon 
a  force  of  rebels  in  command  of  a  Major  Henry.  The  enemy 
retreated,  followed  by  the  advance  guard  in  hot  pursuit.  Dur 
ing  this  running  engagement  private  Kimberly,  Company  D, 
was  wounded  slightly  in  the  head.  The  enemy's  loss  was  one 
killed,  five  taken  prisoners,  and  six  horses  with  saddles,  etc., 
captured.  We  camped  at  night  about  eight  miles  distant  from 
Moro  river  bridge,  at  a  hamlet  called  Chambersville. 

January  29th.  Marched  this  morning  at  daylight  on  the  re 
turn  march.  Halted  for  a  time  at  Marks'  Mills,  to  rest  our 
horses  and  drive  in  cattle.  Crossed  the  Saline  river  about  four 
p.  M.,  and  camped  at  Mt.  Elba  at  dark. 

January  30th.  Marched  to-day  at  twelve  M.,  the  regiment 
having  the  extreme  rear  guard,  and  camped  fourteen  miles  dis 
tant  from  Mt.  Elba. 

January  31st.  Marched  this  morning  at  six,  and  camped 
two  miles  distant  from  Pine  Bluff,  on  the  Mt.  Elba  road,  in  a 
wet,  muddy  place,  (swamp. ) 

February  1st.  Raining  hard  this  morning.  The  regiment 
is  relieved  from  duty  with  the  brigade,  and  ordered  to  Mem 
phis,  Tennessee.  During  this  expedition  thirty  prisoners  were 
taken,  and  a  number  of  horses  and  cattle  captured.  Lieuten 
ant  Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  Company  L,  is  particularly  men 
tioned  for  his  daring  gallantry  in  leading  the  advance  guard. 
The  rain  continued  to  fall  in  torrents  all  day  of  the  1st  and 
night  of  the  second  (2d),  and  our  camp  presented  the  appear 
ance  of  a  small  lake.  At  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  we 
were  obliged  to  wade  through  the  water  and  seek  higher 
ground,  and  later  in  the  morning  our  camp  was  removed  to  a 
more  comfortable  location.  The  regiment  remained  at  this 


208  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

place  until  February  llth,  awaiting  transportation,  at  which 
time  one  boat  arrived  from  Little  Rock,  and  a  portion  of  the 
regiment  embarked  thereon.  The  remaining  portions  were 
obliged  to  remain  until  the  14th,  at  which  time  they  embarked 
on  the  steamer  Sir  Willam  Wallace,  and  arrived  at  Memphis 
on  the  16th  at  11.30  A.  M.  The  other  portion  of  the  regiment 
arrived  during  the  day  of  the  17th  and  went  into  camp  near  the 
city.  On  the  20th  the  camp  was  removed  to  a  place  about  two 
and  a  half  miles  south  from  the  city. 

The  regiment  was  now  in  the  District  of  West  Tennessee,  in 
cavalry  division  with  the  Fifth  and  Twelfth  Illinois,  Eleventh 
New  York,  First  Mississippi,  and  other  cavalry  regiments — Brig 
adier  General  R.  S.  Roberts  commanding  the  district,  and 
Brigadier  General  E.  D.  Osband  commanding  the  division. 

The  following  named  officers  of  the  regiment  were  assigned 
to  special  duty :  Captain  R.  M.  Reynolds,  Company  A,  Acting 
Assistant  Inspector  General ;  Lieutenant  Samuel  T.  Craig. 
Company  H,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General  ;  Lieutenant 
Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  Company  F,  in  charge  of  pack  train  ; 
and  Surgeon  Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Senior  Surgeon  of  the 
brigade. 

March  3d.  The  cavalry  division,  consisting  of  three  brig 
ades  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Osband,  left 
Memphis  without  wagons  or  ambulances,  but  with  a  pack 
train,  at  7  A.  M.,  in  a  severe  rain  storm,  on  the  State  line 
road,  following  the  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  rail 
road.  Many  of  the  railroad  bridges  had  been  destroyed  but  are 
being  rapidly  rebuilt.  At  night  we  camped  near  Germantown, 
about  fifteen  miles  from  Memphis.  A  wet,  disagreeable  night. 
We  have  been  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade. 

March  4th.  Major  General  C.  C.  Washburne  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  district  to-day,  superseding  General  Roberts.  A 
railroad  train  arrived  from  Memphis  with  supplies.  Ten  days" 
rations  and  two  days1  forage  having  been  issued,  the  command, 
under  Brevet  Brigadier  General  J.  P.  C.  Shank,  Colonel  Sev- 


T  ,L  .JqjsD 


Capt,  J,  T,  FDSTER, 

COMPANY    B. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  209 

enth  Indiana  Cavalry,  moved  at  dark  due  east  on  the  road  lead 
ing  to  Colliersville,  a  small  station  on  the  railroad,  and  camped 
about  two  miles  from  that  place,  having  passed  through  a  sec 
tion  of  fine  country. 

March  5th,  Marched  this  morning  in  a  southerly  direction, 
passing  through  a  rich  portion  of  country,  but  it  has  been  par 
tially  destroyed  by  the  contending  armies  in  their  passage 
through  it.  The  roads  are  in  a  fine  condition.  We  entered  the 
State  of  Mississippi  at  a  little  town  peopled  by  Irish  called  Non 
Connah,  situated  on  Non  Connah  river.  The  town  has  been 
partially  destroyed.  Passing  through  the  town  of  Mt.  Pleas 
ant,  which  has  also  been  destroyed,  and  Lemars,  a  small  station 
on  the  Mississippi  Central  railroad,  we  camped  about  one  mile 
from  the  station,  on  the  road  leading  to  Corinth.  A  number  of 
rebels  were  seen  to-day.  Distance  marched  thirty  miles. 

March  6th.  Marched  at  eight  A.  M.  Passed  through  Salem, 
an  almost  deserted  town,  and  camped  at  Ripley,  a  town  situ 
ated  on  the  Tippah  river,  in  Tippah  county,  about  dark.  The 
command  remained  here  until  the  9th.  Scouting  parties  were 
sent  out,  and  a  number  of  rebels  were  discovered  "-spying" 
about  our  camp. 

Forrest  with  his  guerrillas  are  reported  to  be  at  Okalona,  a 
station  on  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  railroad.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
McQueen  with  a  small  force  has  been  sent  to  Hatchietown,  to 
hold  a  bridge  over  the  Big  Hatchie  river  until  another  force 
which  has  been  sent  out  to  destroy  the  railroad  and  telegraph 
lines  returns — this  being  the  only  bridge  in  this  vicinity  not 
destroyed.  While  guarding  the  bridge  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mc 
Queen's  pickets  had  a  brisk  skirmish  with  a  portion  of  Forrest's 
guerrillas,  resulting  in  the  defeat  and  flight  of  the  enemy. 
Ripley  is  a  pleasantly  located  little  town,  situated  about  ninety- 
five  miles  southeast  from  Memphis. 

March  9th.  Marched  this  morning  in  a  cold  and  severe  rain 
storm,  on  the  road  leading  to  Salisbury,  a  station  on  the  Mem 
phis  &  Charleston  railroad.  The  line  of  march  led  over  a 
27 


410  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

mountain  range,  and  during  the  day  the  weather  became  cold 
and  snow  fell  until  evening,  at  which  time  the  weather  became1 
clear  and  exceedingly  cold.  We  camped  at  Salisbury,  having 
marched  a  distance  of  twenty -seven  miles.  Several  prisoners 
were  taken  during  the  day. 

March  10th.  Marched  at  seven  this  morning.  Passed 
through  Grand  Junction  and  LaGrange,  stations  on  the  Mem 
phis  &  Charleston  railroad,  both  deserted  towns.  The  Male 
and  Female  College  at  LaGrange  had  been  destroyed,  and  less 
than  a  dozen  families  remain  in  the  town.  We  crossed  Wolf 
creek  at  this  place.  The  bridge  had  been  partially  destroyed, 
making  the  crossing  difficult.  Passing  through  the  town  of 
Moscow,  another  station  on  the  Memphis  &  Charleston  railroad, 
we  camped  about  forty  miles  from  Memphis. 

March  llth.  Marched  at  seven  A.  M.,  and  arrived  at  Mem 
phis  about  twelve  midnight,  in  a  severe  rain  storm.  From  this 
time  until  April  3d  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  picket  and 
scouting  duty. 

On  the  morning  of  April  3d  all  of  the  available  force  of  the 
regiment,  with  that  of  the  Eleventh  New  York  and  First  Mis 
sissippi  Cavalry  Regiments,  left  Memphis  for  a  tour  through 
the  District  of  West  Tennessee.  On  arriving  at  Colliersville,  a 
station  on  the  Memphis  &  Charleston  railroad,  about  twenty- 
live  miles  cast  from  Memphis,  the  command  was  ordered  to 
encamp  at  that  place.  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen  was  placed 
in  command,  and  Colliersville  was  made  a  base  of  operations  for 
the  more  successful  protection  of  the  people  residing  in  this 
portion  of  the  district. 

April  Kith.  The  astounding  intelligence  of  the  assassination 
of  President  Lincoln  on  the  14th  was  received  to-day.  That 
great  heart,  so  full  of  love  and  kindness,  so  free  from  guile  or 
hate,  had  by  the  hand  of  a  Southern  assassin  been  stilled  in 
death.  "With  malice  toward  none,  with  charity  for  all,''  he 
yielded  up  his  pure  life,  in  the  interests  of  Freedom  and  Na- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  211 

tional  existence.  By  that  dastardly  act  the  now  distracted  and 
poverty-stricken  Southern  people  lost  their  best  and  truest 
friend. 

In  honor  of  the  martyred  President,  and  to  show  proper  love 
and  respect  for  the  lamented  dead,  Major  General  C.  C.  Wash- 
burn  issued  the  following  order  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE. 

MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE,  April  17th,  1865. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  44. 

The  Nation  mourns  the  untimely  and  violent  death  of  the  late  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

All  officers  of  this  command  will  wear  the  usual  badge  of  mourning 
upon  the  left  arm  for  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  this  order. 

As  a  mark  of  respect  to  the  illustrious  dead,  the  public  building's  of 
the  city  and  all  places  of  military  business  will  be  closed  this  day  from 
sunrise  to  sunset. 

The  funeral  gun  will  be  fired  at  every  half-hour,  beginning  at  sun 
rise,  and  ending  at  sunset  of  this  day. 

By  order  of  Major  General  C.  C.  Washburn. 

Official:  W.  H.  MORGAN.    Major  and  A.  A.  <i. 

- — ,    Lieut,  and  Aide  de  Camp, 

On  the  19th,  previous  arrangements  having  been  made,  the 
following  order  of  procession  and  -services  to  be  performed  in 
memory  of  our  lamented  dead  President  was  issued  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEK. 

MEMPHIS.  TENNESSEE,  April  19th.  1865. 

The  following  order  of  procession  and  services  to  be  performed  to 
morrow,  in  memory  of  our  late  beloved  President,  has  been  agreed  upon 
by  the  civil  and  military  authorities  : 

BAND. 

Two  Regiments  of  Infantry. 

Two  Batteries  of  Artillery. 

Cavalry. 

BAND. 

Memphis    Militia. 

United  States  Officers,  (unattached.) 
Brigadier  General    Chetlain    and    Staff. 
Major  General  Commanding  and  Staff. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Sailors  from  the  Gunboats. 
Officers  of  Navy. 

Clergy. 
Mayor  and  City  Council. 

City  Officials. 
Fire  Department. 

Police  Department  and  City  Employes. 
Masonic  Order. 

Odd  Fellows. 
Euphrates  Lodge. 

Druids. 

Hebrew  Benevolent  Association. 

German  Casino. 

Memphis  Club. 

German  Turners. 

Citizens. 

Colored  Societies. 
Colored  Citizens. 

BAND. 

Infantry. 
Artillery. 
Cavalry. 

The  officers  of  the  navy  and  clergy  will  join  the  procession  from  these 
headquarters  after  the  passage  of  the  column  of  militia. 

The  advance  of  the  army  will  move  at  10.30  o'clock  A.  M.  up  Front 
street,  and  as  the  rear  of  the  advance  column  passes  Union  street,  the 
militia  will  move  forward  and  join  the  column  on  Front  street. 

The  city  authorities  and  fire  companies  will  form  on  Monroe  street. 

Societies  on  Madison  street. 

Citizens  on  Jefferson  street. 

Colored  citizens  on  Adams  street. 

The  procession  will  move  up  Front  street  to  Overton  street — wheel 
ing  to  the  light  through  Overton  street  to  Main  street — down  Main 
street  to  Court  Square.  The  infantry,  on  reaching  south  side  of  Court 
Square,  will  wheel  to  the  left  and  form  in  mass  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Square.  The  artillery  and  cavalry  will  pass  on  until  the  rear  of  the 
cavalry  shall  reach  the  south  side  of  the  Square.  The  militia  will  halt 
on  reaching  the  south  side  of  the  Square  and  form  in  mass  in  Main 
street,  south  of,  the  main  entrance  to  the  Square.  That  portion  of  the 
column  in  the  rear  of  the  militia  will  file  to  the  left  and  occupy  Court 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  213 

Square,  except  the  fire  companies,  which  will  wheel  to  the  left  on  arriv 
ing1  at  the  north  side  of  Court  Square.     The  infantry,  artillery  and  cav 
alry  forming-  the  rear  will  occupy  Main  street  in  front  of  Court  Square. 
At  the  Square  the  following-  will  be  the  order  of  ceremonies  : 

Dirge — By  band. 

Hymn— By  Rev.  Mr.  Miller. 

Reading-  of  Scripture — By  Rabbi  Tuska. 

Hymn — By  Rev.  Mr.  Allen. 

Prayer — By  Rev.  Mr.  Davis. 

Reading-  of  funeral  service — By  Rev.  Dr.  White. 

Funeral  address — By  Rev.  Dr.  Gray. 

Prayer — By  Rev.  Mr.  Bliss. 

Benediction — By  Rev.  Mr.  Wheelock. 

Dirg-e — By  band. 

If  the  weather  should  be  too  inclement  the  ceremonies  will  be  post 
poned,  which  fact  will  be  made  known  by  the  omission  to  fire  the  funeral 
gnn  each  half-hour.  No  women  or  children  will  be  allowed  in  the  pro 
cession.  C.  C.  WASHBURN.  Major  General. 

The  services  were  performed  amid  a  large  concourse  of  citi 
zens  who  had  gathered  at  Jackson  Square  to  witness  and  assist 
in  the  ceremonial. 

The  fall  of  Richmond  on  the  3d,  and  the  unprecedented  suc 
cess  of  our  armies,  and  the  disastrous  defeat  of  the  rebels, 
resulting  in  disintegration  of  their  armies  and  the  forming  of 
marauding  bands  for  pillage  and  revenge,  made  it  necessary 
that  stringent  orders  be  issued  for  the  suppression  of  the  law 
less  acts.  For  this  purpose  the  following  orders  were  issued  by 
Major  General  Washburn,  and  the  District  of  West  Tennessee 
suffered  but  slightly,  because  of  the  ceaseless  activity  of  our 
troops  in  their  efforts  to  suppress  these  bands.  Farmers  were 
protected,  and  the  various  industries  were  resumed  with  little 
of  no  molestation  :  . 

HEADQUARTERS  DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE. 

MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE,  April  17th.  1865. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  45. 

The  fall  of  Richmond,  and  the  capture  of  the  principal  rebel  army 
and  all  the  fortified  places  in  the  so-called  Confederacy  east  of  the  Mis- 


214  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

sissippi  river,  the  utter  and  hopeless  prostration  of  the  rebel  power, 
make  it  apparent  that  all  further  fighting  on  the  part  of  Confederate 
soldiers  within  this  military  district  must  be  from  a  spirit  of  pure  malice 
and  revenge,  or  for  purposes  of  robbery  and  plunder,  and  not  in  any 
hope  of  accomplishing  any  public  good  to  any  State  or  government. 
Those  who  now  continue  to  fight,  after  the  liberal  terms  that  have  been 
offered,  can  only  be  regarded  as  guerrillas  and  murderers.  There  are 
some  small  parties  of  such  men  roving  about  West  Tennessee,  keeping 
the  citizens  in  a  state  of  excitement  and  alarm,  and  who  claim,  when 
captured,  to  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war.  All  such  are  notified  that, 
if  captured  within  the  limits  of  the  military  district,  after  the  25th  inst. . 
they  will  not  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war,  but  will  be  held  for  trial  as 
felons  and  common  enemies  of  mankind.  Persons  found  bearing  arms 
without  competent  Federal  authority  will  be  subject  to  the  provisions  of 
this  order.  This  order  is  not  intended  to  discourage  any  from  laying 
down  their  arms  and  receiving  the  amnesty  of  the  President,  but  to  de 
clare  that  such  as  are  in  West  Tennessee  and  do  not  do  it,  but  continue 
in  open  hostility,  shall  not  be  exchanged  or  allowed  to  take  the  oath  of 
amnesty  after  their  capture,  but  shall  be  tried  and  punished  in  accord 
ance  with  their  deserts. 

By  order  of  Major  General  C.  C.  Washburn. 

W.  H.  MORGAN,  Major  and  A.  A.  O. 

It  having  become  evident  that  the  atrocious  murder  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln,  and  the  attempted  assassination  of  Secretary  of 
State  William  H.  Seward,  was  ' '  incited  and  concocted ' '  by 
Jefferson  Davis  and  others,  the  following  proclamation  was 
issued  by  Vice  President  Andrew  Johnson,  now  President  of 
the  United  States  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DISTRICT  OF  WEST  TENNESSEE. 

MEMPHIS.  TENNESSEE,  May  5th.  1865. 
PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  it  appears  from  evidence  in  the  bureau  of  military  justice 
that  the  atrocious  murder  of  the  late  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and 
the  attempted  assassination  of  the  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Seward.  Secretary  of 
State,  was  incited  and  concocted  by  and  between  Jeff  Davis,  late  of 
Richmond,  Va.,  and  Jacob  Thompson,  Clement  C.  Clay,  Beverly  Tucker. 
Geo.  N.  Sanders,  W.  C.  Cleary,  and  others,  rebels  and  traitors  against 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  harbored  in  Canada  : 

Now.  therefore,  to  the   event  that  justice  may  be  done.  I.  Andrew 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  215 

Johnson,  President  of  the  United  States,  do  offer  for  the  arrest  of  the 
said  persons,  or  either  of  them,  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 
so  that  they  can  be  brought  to  trial,  the  following-  rewards  :  $100,000 
for  the  arrest  of  Jefferson  Davis  ;  $25,000  for  the  arrest  of  Clement  C. 
Clay:  $25,000  for  the  arrest  of  Jacob  Thompson,  late  of  Mississippi: 
$25,000  for  the  arrest  of  Geo.  N.  Sanders  ;  25,000  for  the  arrest  of  Bev 
erly  Tucker  ;  and  $10,000  for  the  arrest  of  Wm.  A.  Cleary,  late  clerk 
of  Clemeut  C.  Clay. 

The  Provost  Marshal  General  of  the  United  States  is  directed  to 
cause  a  description  of  said  persons  with  notices  of  the  above  rewards  to 
be  published. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused  the 
seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  City  of  Washing-ton,  the  2d  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1865,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America 
the  89th. 

By  the  President.  ANDREW  JOHNSON. 

WM.  HUNTER,  Acting  Secretary  of  State. 

Official  :  W.  H.  MORGAN,  Major  and  A.  A.  (T. 

On  May  10th  Jefferson  Davis  was  taken  prisoner,  at  Irwins- 
ville,  Georgia,  by  the  First  Wisconsin  and  Fourth  Michigan 
Cavalry  Regiments.  Davis  was  taken  prisoner  while  attempt 
ing  to  escape,  disguised  in  female  apparel,  from  his  much 
boasted  Southern  Confederacy.  Conceived  in  sin  and  iniquity, 
the  arrest  of  the  leader  in  disguise  and  shame  was  but  the  ap 
propriate  finale  of  the  most  monstrous  and  wicked  attempt  to 
throttle  the  liberties  of  a  people  and  crush  the  national  life  of 
the  best  government  God  ever  vouchsafed  to  man. 

May  15th.  Brigadier  General  R.  8.  Roberts  was  assigned 
to  duty  in  command  of  the  cavalry  division,  Brigadier  General 
Osband  having  been  relieved. 

May  22d.  That  portion  of  the  regiment  which  remained  at 
Memphis  was  now  ordered  to  Colliersville.  The  troops  remained 
at  this  place  until  June  14th,  the  regiment  being  in  command 
of  Major  John  McDermott. 


"216  HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

The  capture  of  Richmond  and  the  surrender  of  the  armies  of 
the  so-called  Confederacy  was  received  by  our  soldiers  with 
much  pleasure  and  gratification,  and  a  joyful  anticipation  of  a 
speedy  muster  out  and  a  return  to  home  and  friends  were  pleas 
ingly  indulged  in.  While  anticipating  this  speedy  return  to 
civil  life,  an  order  was  received  from  Lieutenant  General  Grant 
ordering  the  command  to  Texas.  This  was  a  sore  disappoint 
ment  to  the  troops,  and  the  order  was  received  with  outspoken 
dissatisfaction.  When  it  became  known  to  the  people  of  the 
district  that  we  were  to  be  withdrawn  from  among  them,  a  pe 
tition  signed  by  more  than  fifteen  hundred  of  the  inhabitants 
was  presented  to  the  commanding  General,  asking  that  we  be 
retained  in  the  District.  The  order,  however,  was  not  counter 
manded,  and  as  tl  it  is  the  first  duty  of  a  soldier  to  obey  orders,1' 
in  sore  disappointment,  on  June  15th,  the  regiment,  with  the 
Fifth  and  Twelfth  Illinois,  Second  Wisconsin  and  Seventh  In 
diana  Cavalry  Regiments,  commenced  embarking  on  transports 
at  Memphis,  under  the  supervision  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mc 
Queen,  for  Alexandria,  Louisiana.  Companies  F,  G,  and  a 
portion  of  H,  left  about  2.30  A.  M.  of  the  16th  on  board  the 
steamer  Lenora,  Captain  Charles  Dustin,  Company  F,  in  com 
mand.  Another  portion  of  the  regiment  left  about  noon  of  the 
16th,  on  board  of  the  steamer  Hillman,  the  writer  being  with 
this  portion.  We  left  Helena  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  and 
when  near  Napoleon  the  boat  ran  on  a  sandbar  and  remained 
there  until  four  p.  M.  of  the  18th.  After  getting  free  from  the 
sandbar  we  remained  at  the  bank  of  the  river  during  the  night. 
Here  we  met  the  steamer  Autocrat,  one  of  our  transports. 

June  19th.  Left  this  morning,  and  returned  to  mouth  of 
White  river. 

June  20th.  Arrived  at  Vicksburg  at  nine  A.  M.  The  Lenora 
landed  here  on  the  17th.  At  this  place  the  steamer  Laurel 
Hill  relieved  the  Autocrat  of  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry. 

June  21st.  Arrived  at  Natchez,  and  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Red  river  on  the  25th.  Remained  at  Wilson's  Landing,  a 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  217 

place  about  thirty  miles  from  Alexandria,  during  the  night, 'and 
arrived  at  Alexandria  June  23d  at  7.30  A.  M.  The  other  trans 
ports  arrived  afterward.  The  Lenora  having  met  with  an  acci 
dent  at  the  mouth  of  Red  river,  the  troops  were  obliged  to 
debark  at  the  landing  on  the  Louisiana  side  of  the  river  and  re 
mained  there  until  July  llth,  rations  in  the  meantime  having 
been  sent  from  Alexandria,  Louisiana. 

On  July  llth  they  left  Red  River  Landing,  and  arrived  at 
Alexandria  at  twelve  midnight  of  the  12th. 

Major  General  G.  A.  Ouster  having  assumed  command  of 
the  troops  at  Alexandria  on  June  23d,  announced  in  general 
orders  number  one  the  names  of  the  members  of  his  staff. 

The  regiment  (including  the  other  regiments  associated  with 
it)  were  about  to  undergo  an  ordeal  which  never  fell  to  the  lot 
of  any  other  body  of  men  during  the  rebellion.  This  regiment, 
which  had  proved  its  prowess  on  every  battlefield  ;  had  received 
flattering  commendations  from  Generals  Schofieid,  Herron, 
Blunt,  Rosecrans,  Davidson,  Steele,  Can1,  and  in  fact  from  every 
commander  with  whom  it  had  served ;  had  been  reported  as  the 
finest  regiment  of  cavalry  in  physique  and  soldierly  bearing  in 
the  volunteer  service  by  all  inspectors  of  cavalry,  and  reported 
at  the  Cavalry  Bureau  at  Washington  as  being  the  second  best 
cavalry  regiment  in  the  United  States  service,  (the  best  being 
one  of  the  regular  United  States  regiments)  ;  this  regiment, 
after  four  years  of  faithful,  hard  and  active  service,  enduring 
hardships  and  privations,  engaged  in  a  most  dangerous  and  dis 
agreeable  guerrilla  warfare  during  its  early  service,  taking  more 
than  7,000  prisoners  and  killing  and  wounding  more  than  1,000 
men  during  a  period  of  fifteen  months  of  that  service — with 
this  most  honorable  record,  an  inscrutable  Providence  decreed 
that  it  should  be  put  to  a  crucial  test  as  to  its  patient  forbear 
ance  and  endurance,  when  subjected  to  abuse,  wanton  neglect, 
base  slanders  and  atrocious  outrages  by  one  invested  with 
"  brief  but  misplaced  authority.11 

Philip   E.    Francis,   now  residing  at  Cedar-  Rapids,    Iowa,  a 

28 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

member  of  Company  B,  who  was  present  during  this  unfortu 
nate  period,  writes  :  k  k  We  had  gone  through  the  war  ;  had 
camped  in  Missouri  with  a  foot  of  snow  on  the  ground  ;  had 
lain  down  in  the  mud  in  Arkansas  at  night  to  find  ourselves 
frozen  to  the  earth  in  the  morning  ;  we  had  wrestled  with  ver 
min  in  Southern  trenches,  and  doubled  up  on  the  discomforts 
of  cold  and  the  pangs  of  hunger— but,  until  after  the  war 
had  closed  and  we  entered  Ouster's  division,  the  real  hardships 
of  camp  life  had  never  stared  us  in  our  faces. ' '  A  most  truth 
ful  narration  of  the  indignities  and  outrages  to  which  the  regi 
ment  was  subjected,  of  its  trials  and  sufferings,  and  of  the 
incompetency  and  inhumanity  of  the  commanding  General,  is 
published  in  the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of 
Iowa  for  the  year  1867.  page  507  et  sequitur,  written  by  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  A.  G.  McQueen,  a  copy  of  which  is  inserted  on 
subsequent  pages  in  order  that  justice  may  be  done  the  brave 
old  regiment,  and  that  this  reign  of  inhumanity  shall  become  a 
matter  of  record  upon  these  pages.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mc 
Queen  was  most  faithful  in  endeavoring  to  mitigate  this  most 
unhappy  condition  of  affairs,  and  every  member  of  the  regi 
ment  present  at  that  time  is  under  obligations  to  him  for  his 
exertions  in  their  behalf. 

Copies  of  two  orders  issued  by  Major  General  Ouster,  special 
order  No.  2  and  general  order  No.  15,  are  here  inserted  as  ex 
amples  of  the  character  and  tenor  of  his  orders,  as  also  to  a 
more  complete  understanding  of  this  matter.  They  were  as 
follows  : 

HEADQUARTER  CAVALRY. 
ALEXANDRIA.    LOUISIANA.   June  24th.  1865. 
(JENERAL  ORDERS  No.  2. 

Numerous  complaints  having  reached  these  headquarters  of  depre 
dations  having  been  committed  by  persons  belonging  to  this  command. 
all  officers  and  soldiers  are  hereby  urged  to  use  every  exertion  to  pre 
vent  the  committal  of  acts  of  lawlessness,  which,  if  permitted  to  pass 
unpunished,  will  bring  discredit  upon  the  command.  Now  that  the 
war  is  virtually  ended,  the  rebellion  put  down,  and  peace  about  to  be 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  219 

restored  to  our  entire  country,  let  not  the  lustre  of  the  last  four  years  be 
dimmed  by  a  single  act  of  misconduct  towards  the  persons  or  property 
of  those  with  whom  we  may  be  brought  in  contact.  In  future,  and  par 
ticularly  on  the  march,  the  utmost  care  will  be  exercised  to  save  the 
inhabitants  of  the  country  in  which  we  may  be  located  from  any  molest 
ation  whatever. 

As  supplies   can   be   obtained   from  the   supply  train  when  needed, 
there  will  be  no  necessity  for  foraging-  upon  the  country. 

No  foraging  parties  will  be  sent  out  from  this  command  without  writ 
ten  permission  from  these  headquarters,  and  then  only  to  obtain  fresh 
beef  and  grain,  for  which  payment  will  be  made  by  the  chiefs  of  the 
proper  departments  at  these  headquarters. 

Every  violation  of  this  order  will  receive  prompt  and  severe  punish 
ment.  Owing  to  the  delays  of  court  martials,  and  their  impracticability 
when  the  command  is  unsettled,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  any  enlisted 
man  violating  the  above  order,  or  committing  depredations  upon  the 
persons  or  property  of  citizens,  will  have  his  head  shaved,  and  in  addi 
tion  will  receive  twenty-Jive  lashes  upon  his  back,  well  laid  on.  This 
punishment  will,  in  all  cases,  be  administered  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  command,  who  is  charged  with  the  execu 
tion  of  this  order  so  far  as  it  in  his  power. 

Any  officer  failing  to  adopt  proper  steps  to  restrain  his  men  from 
violating  this  order,  or  who  fails  to  report  to  these  headquarters  the 
names  of  those  violating  it,  will  be  at  once  arrested  and  his  name  for 
warded  to  the  proper  authority  for  prompt  and  dishonorable  dismissal 
from  the  army.  The  commanding  General  is  well  aware  that  the  num 
ber  of  those  upon  whom  the  enforcement  of  this  order  will  be  necessary 
will  be  small,  and  he  trusts  that  in  no  case  will  it  be  necessary. 

He  is  also  confident  that  those  who  entered  the  service  from  proper 
motives  will  see  the  necessity  for  a  strict  compliance  with  the  require 
ments  of  this  order. 

Citizens  of  the  surrounding  country  are  earnestly  invited  to  furnish 
these  headquarters  any  information  they  may  acquire  which  will  lead 
to  the  discovery  of  any  parties  violating  the  foregoing  order. 

Regimental  commanders  will  publish  this  order  to  every  man  in  their 
commands. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Ouster. 

(Signed,)  J.  L.  GREENE,  Asst.  Adjt.  General. 

Official  :     L.  W.  BAKNHAKT,  Asst.  Adjt.  General. 


220  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION, 

MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF. 

August  7th,  1865. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  15. 

The  command  being  about  to  march  through  a  section  of  country 
which  has  been  beyond  the  control  of  the  Government  for  four  years, 
and  it  being  desirable  to  cultivate  the  most  friendly  feelings  with  the  in 
habitants  thereof,  all  belonging  to  this  command  will  be  required  to  ex 
ercise  the  most  scrupulous  regard  for  the  rights  and  property  of  those 
with  whom  they  may  be  brought  in  contact.  The  following  rules  will 
be  strictly  observed. 

I.  The  command  will  habitually  move  in  columns  of  fours,  omitting 
the  usual  interval  between  companies,  squadrons  and  regiments. 

II.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  brigade  which  moves  in  the  rear- 
will  detail  for  that  day  a  guard  of  one  hundred  (100)  men  to  escort  the 
train.      He  will  also  cause  the  pioneers  of  one  regiment  to  march  at  the 
head  of  the  train,  reporting  to  the  quartermaster  in  charge. 

III.  One-half  of  the  escort  of  the  train  will  march  in  advance,   the 
other    half  in  rear  of  the  train.     The  officer  commanding  will  regulate 
his  gait  by  that  of  the  train,  and   will  be  held  responsible  for  the  good 
conduct    of  his    men.      He    will    also    arrest    and  bring    to  these  head 
quarters  any  person  belonging  to  the   train  whom  he   detects  violating 
any  paragraph  of  this  order. 

IV.  Brigade  commanders  will  cause  a  detachment    of  their  provost 
guard,  under  command  of  a  commissioned    officer,  to  march  in  the  im 
mediate  rear  of  their  brigades.      It  will  be  the  duty  of  these  officers  to 
prevent  men  from    falling  out  of  the  ranks  or  leaving  the  columns,    ex 
cept  under  orders. 

V.  No  enlisted  man   will  be  permitted  to  leave  the  ranks  with  his 
horse,  except    on    duty  or    v  hen    accompanied    by   an   officer.      If  upon 
duty,  he    must  be  furnished    with  written  authority.      A  dispatch  or  re 
ceipt  for  same  will  be  deemed  proper  authority.      If  found  absent  from 
the  column  in  violation  of  this  order,  any  officer  is  authorized  to  seize 
his  horse    and    equipments    and    appropriate  them   for  the  use  of  dis 
mounted    men    of  the    command.      Brigade    commanders    will    instruct 
their  officers  in  command    of  the  detachment  of  provost  guard,  in  rear 
of  their  brigade,  to  be  particularly  zealous  in  carrying  out  the  require 
ments  of  this  paragraph. 

VI.  If  it  becomes  necessary  for  an  enlisted  man  to  leave  the  ranks 
to  procure  water,  or  attend  to  the  wants  of  nature,  he  will  be  permitted 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  221 

to   do  so  dismounted,  leaving  his  horse  to  be  held  by  the  man  on  his 
right,  or  left,  in  the  same  set  of  fours. 

VII.  The  dismounted  men  of  this  command  will  be  organized  into  a 
foot  battalion,  under  command  of  Captain  J.  H.  Elliott,  Seventh  Indiana 
Cavalry.     Brigade    commanders    will    designate,    each,    two    efficient 
officer's  to  take  charge  of  the  dismounted  men   of  their  commands,  and 
will  cause    one  non-commissioned   officer,  mounted  from  each  regiment, 
to  report  to  the  senior  officer. 

The  senior  officer  in  charge  of  the  dismounted  men  of  each  brigade 
will  at  once  report  to  Captain  J.  H.  Elliott  for  instructions.  The  dis 
mounted  men  will  be  required  to  carry  their  carbines,  blankets  and 
haversacks,  and  will  march  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  rear  brigade. 
The  officer  commanding  the  foot  battalion  will  take  possession  of  all 
horses  and  equipments  found  absent  from  the  column  in  violation  of 
paragraph  five  of  this  order,  and  mount  with  men.  taking  from  the 
most  deserving,,  in  the  foot  battalion.  The  men  thus  dismounted  will 
be  placed  in  the  foot  battalion .  The  mounted  non-commissioned  officers 
attached  to  the  foot  battalion  will  be  employed  in  arresting  men  found 
absent  from  the  column  without  authority. 

VIII.  Any  enlisted  man  detected  in  any  act  of  lawlessness  will  in 
addition  to  other    punishment  be  deprived  of  his  horse  and  be  required 
to  march  on  foot. 

IX.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  foot  battalion,  when  having  op 
portunity  to  mount    men  of  his  command,  will  select  those  whose  con 
duct  upon  the  march  has  been  most  commendable. 

X.  No    foraging    parties    will  be    permitted.      AH  needed    supplies 
can    be    obtained    from    the    supply   train    which    will    accompany   the 
command. 

XI.  Any  officer  sending  an  enlisted   man  from  the  column   without 
furnishing    him  with  the   required  written  authority  will,  in  case  such 
enlisted  man  is  deprived   of    his    horse  thereby,  be  required  to  mount 
him  upon  the  horse  ridden  by  himself.      Such  horse  is  the  property  of  the 
(rovernment. 

XII.  All  led  animals  and  officers1  servants  will  march  in  rear  of  the 
rear  brigade.      An  officer  from  each  brigade  will  be  placed  in  permanent 
charge    of  this  train.      A   non-commissioned  officer  from  each  regiment 
will  be  detailed  to  take  charge  of  that  portion  of  the  train  belonging 
to  his  own  regiment. 

XIII.  In    procuring  fuel,  no    interference  with  fences  or  prepared 
fencing  material  will  be  allowed. 


222  HISTORY  OF  FIKST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

XIV.  The  officer  second  in  command  of  each  regiment  will  march 
in    rear    of   his  regiment.     The    officer    second    in    command    of    each 
squadron  will  march  in  rear  of  his  squadron. 

XV.  The  Provost  Marshal  of  the  division  will  each  day  inspect  the 
column  upon  the  march  and  see   that  paragraphs  five,  twelve  and  four 
teen  are  complied  with. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

L.  W.  BARNHART,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

The  first  portion  of  the  troops  assigned  to  General  Custer 
arrived  at  Alexandria  at  7.30  A.  M.  of  the  23d,  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  24th  special  order  No.  2  was  promulgated.  No 
acts  of  lawlessness  had  been  committed,  and  no  unsoldierly  con 
duct  had  taken  place,  and  the  issuance  of  the  order  was  a  slan 
der  by  implication  upon  the  troops  by  its  commanding  officer. 

The  first,  or  special  order  No.  2,  is  inserted  to  show  the  law 
less  inhumanity  of  the  man  issuing  it.  Flogging  in  the  army 
had  been  abolished  by  act  of  Congress,  approved  August  5th, 
1861,  yet  he,  in  defiance  of  law  and  humanity,  not  only  ordered 
whipping,  but  made  the  k  c  refinement  of  cruelty  ' '  greater  by 
supplementing  his  order  with  the  shaving  of  heads.  This  order 
was  to  be  executed  without  trial  by  court  martial  ;  simply  by 
order  as  it  might  please  this  slanderous  "hero  of  the  lash." 

The  second,  general  order  No.  15,  is  inserted  to  show  the  in- 
competency  and  utter  want  of  knowledge  of  the  manner  of  con 
ducting  a  march  of  a  large  body  of  cavalry  in  midsummer. 
The  first  section  of  the  order  is  sufficient  to  condemn  it,  and  to 
show,  as  the  k  k  boys  ' "  expressed  it,  what  a  - v  d — d  fool  order 
it  was.  It  reads  as  follows  :  ^The  command  will  habitually 
move  in  columns  of  fours,  omitting  the  usual  intervals  between 
companies,  squadrons  and  regiments1' — packed  together  like 
sardines  in  a  box — this  was  the  order  for  marching,  under  a 
broiling  Louisiana  August  sun,  the  roads  dusty  and  kk  dry  as 
powder."  with  no  armed  enemy  in  the  entire  Department  of 
the  Gulf.  The  entire  order  is  a  military  curiosity  and  a  dis 
grace  to  its  author. 

Referring  to  Lieutenant  Colonel   McQueen's  report  in  above 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  223 

mentioned  Adjutant  General's  report,  page  534,  he  says  :  ^} 
have  also  filled  positions  on  the  staffs  of  general  officers,  from 
Assistant  Adjutant  General  to  Chief  of  Staff,  in  cases  of  tem 
porary  necessity,  and  acted  as  Senior  Inspector  General  of  Cav 
alry  for  the  Military  Division  of  West  Mississippi  for  eight 
months,  and  I  can  say  that  I  never  saw  troops  so  badly  man 
aged  and  provided  for,  both  in  regard  to  outfit  and  rations,  as 
this  division  of  cavalry  was  while  it  remained  under  the  com 
mand  of  General  Custer,  or  such  a  lack  of  common  sense  in 
orders  and  in  the  exercise  of  discipline,  as  was  displayed  by  its 
commander."  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen  was  breveted  Col 
onel  and  Brigadier  General  United  States  Volunteers  for  braver} 
and  for  long  and  meritorious  services  as  a  cavalry  officer. 

The  command  remained  at  Alexandria  until  August  8th, 
preparing  for  a  march  to  Texas.  We  were  encamped  in  an  un 
healthy,  malarial  section  of  country,  and  much  sickness  ensued. 
Diarrhoea,  dysentery,  with  malarial  fever,  assumed  severe 
forms.  Requisitions  for  medical  supplies  were  made  at  various 
times,  but  the  necessary  required  amount  could  not  be  obtained. 
This,  with  the  detestable  condition  of  the  rations  issued,  and 
the  impurity  of  the  water  supply,  daily  diminished  the  effective 
force  of  the  command.  Estimates  for  clothing,  camp  and  gar 
rison  equipage  were  frequently  made,  but  with  little  or  no 
result. 

On  July  8th  horses  were  received  for  the  regiment.  On  the 
28th  the  entire  command  was  ordered  out  to  witness  the  execution 
of  two  soldiers — First  Sergeant  J.  J.  Lancaster.  Company  L. 
Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  and  private  William  A.  Wilson. 
Company  A,  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  they  having  been  sentenced 
by  military  court  martial  to  be  shot  to  death — Sergeant  Lan 
caster  for  inciting  mutiny  in  his  regiment,  and  private  Wilson 
for  desertion  and  theft.  After  all  preparations  had  been  made 
for  the  execution,  Sergeant  Lancaster  was  released  and  Wilson 
shot  to  death  by  the  firing  squad.  Lancaster's  sentence  was 
commuted  to  imprisonment  for  life  on  the  Dry  Tortugas  Island. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

It  is  said  that  on  his  arrival  at  New  Orleans,  on  his  way  to  the 
islands,  he  received  a  pardon  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States.  From  the  best  information  obtainable,  Lancaster's 
crime  was  simply  an  over-earnestness  in  the  drawing  up  and 
circulation  of  a  petition  in  his  regiment,  requesting  Colonel  N. 
H.  Dale  to  resign,  in  order  that  the  Lieutenant  Colonel  might 
receive  promotion  as  Colonel  before  the  muster  out  of  the  regi 
ment.  Many  of  the  members  of  the  regiment  signed  the  peti 
tion.  Lancaster  was  a  young  man  of  good  character,  and 
esteemed  by  his  comrades.  There  was  an  unhappy  feeling  ex 
isting  among  the  officers  of  that  regiment,  and  this  event  but 
increased  the  discord,  and  a  more  determined  hatred  among  the 
troops  toward  the  commanding  General  was  engendered. 

On  August  4th,  the  command  being  about  to  march  for 
Texas,  a  Board  of  Surgeons  was  organized,  consisting  of  Sur 
geon  Charles  H.  Lothrop,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  President, 
Surgeon  Asa  Morgan,  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  Assistant 
Surgeon  Charles  B.  Randall,  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry,  Secretary, 
in  accordance  with  the  following  order,  for  the  officers  and  en 
listed  men,  fci  with  a  view  to  determine  those  who  are  unfit  and 
unable  to  endure  the  march  about  to  be  made  by  the  com 
mand  : '  * 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY. 
ALEXANDRIA,   LOUISIANA,   August  3d.  1866. 
SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  35.  (Extract.) 

A  board  of  the  following-  named  medical  officers  is  hereby  ordered  to 
convene  at  the  office  of  the  Surgeon-in-Chief  of  the  cavalry,  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.,  August  4th,  1865,  for  the  examination  of  such  officers 
and  enlisted  men  as  may  be  regularly  brought  before  it  by  the  Regi 
mental  Surgeons,  and  none  others,  with  a  view  to  determine  those  who 
are  unfit  and  unable  to  undergo  the  march  about  to  be  made  by  the 
command.  The  report  of  the  board  will  be  made  to  the  Surgeon-in- 
( 'hief,  and  in  accordance  to  instructions  to  be  given  by  him  : 

Surgeon  C.  H.  Lothrop,  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

Surgeon  A.  Morgan,    Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Chas.  B.  Randall,  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 
C.  ().  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  J.  L.  GREENE,  A.  A.  O. 


Major  LETT!  CHflSE 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  225 

The  board  held  daily  sessions  until  the  evening  of  the  Tth. 
On  August  5th  the  following  general  order  No.  14,  giving  a 
name  to  the  organization  and  forming  the  division  into  brigades, 
was  issued.  The  First  Iowa  and  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry 
Regiments  composed  the  Second  Brigade,  Colonel  William 
Thompson  commanding  : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  DIVISION  CAVALRY, 

MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF. 

August  5th,  1865. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  14. 

Hereafter  this  command  will  be  known  and  designated  as  the  Second 
Division  Cavalry,  Military  Division  of  the  Gulf,  and  will  be  composed 
as  follows  : 

I.  The  First  Brigade  as  organized  by  special  order  No.  14  from 
these  headquarters. 

II.  The  Second  Brigade  comprising  the  following  regiments  :     First 
Iowa  Cavalry.  Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  G.  McQueen  commanding  :    Sec 
ond  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  Lieutenant  Colonel  N.  H.  Dale  commanding. 

III.  Colonel  Wm.  Thompson,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  will  assume  com 
mand  of  the  Second  Brigade. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 
C.  0.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  J.  L.  GREENE,  A.  A.  G. 

The  organization  of  Colonel  Thompson's  staff'  was  as  follows  : 
Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  H.  L.  Merrill,  A.  A.  Adjutant  Gen 
eral  ;  W.  W.  Fluke.  Lieutenant  and  Quartermaster,  A.  A. 
Q.  M. ;  Robert  T.  Newell,  Lieutenant  and  Commissary,  A.  A. 
G.  S. ;  and  Captain  A.  W.  Hosford,  Company  G,  Provost 
Marshal — all  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  M.  P.  Hansen,  Sur 
geon  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  Senior  Surgeon  of  the  brigade. 

The  regiment  was  in  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mc 
Queen  ;  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  Company  F,  Acting 
Adjutant ;  Lieutenant  George  McDoual,  Company  M,  Acting 
R.  Q.  M. ;  and  Lieutenant  W.  W.  Carpenter,  Company  K, 
Acting  R.  C.  S. 

On  August  6th,  the  supply  of  quinine  having  become  ex 
hausted,  and  being  unable  to  obtain  any  from  the  medical  de 
partment  of  the  command,  Surgeon  Lothrop  purchased  with 
29 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

the  hospital  fund  of  the  regiment  twenty-two  ounces,  at  five 
dollars  per  ounce,  of  Quartermaster  Fluke,  at  a  total  cost  of 
one  hundred  and  ten  dollars,  as  the  record  of  the  purchase  of 
medicines  at  various  times  now  in  the  possession  of  Surgeon  L. 
show.  Although  the  hospital  fund  was  created  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  delicacies  and  such  articles  of  food  for  the  sick 
as  are  not  furnished  by  the  commissaries  of  subsistence,  it 
was  necessary  to  divert  this  money  from  its  legitimate  purposes 
at  this  time,  (other  amounts  were  expended  for  the  same  pur 
pose  afterward,)  in  order  that  the  regiment  should  be  provided 
with  a  supply  of  this  indispensable  article  of  medicine,  in  its 
march  through  this  notoriously  malarial  region  of  the  South  ; 
made  necessary  because  of  the  criminal  negligence  or  ignorance 
of  the  commanding  General  in  such  matters. 

On  Monday.  August  7th,  in  accordance  with  the  following 
order.  Surgeon  Lothrop  assumed  charge  of  the  hospital  trans 
port  Starlight,  which  had  been  ordered  to  Alexandria  for  the 
purpose  of  conveying  the  sick  and  disabled  of  the  division  to 
the  Sedgewick  General  Hospital  at  New  Orleans  : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF. 

August  7th,  1865. 
SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  37.  (Extract.) 

VIII.  Surgeon  Charles  H.  Lothrop.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  is  hereby 
ordered  to  proceed  to  Houston,  Texas,  via  New  Orleans,  Louisiana, 
with  the  following  named  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  this  command  : 

Surgeon    Lothrop  will  be  held  strictly  responsible  that  none  others 
than  those  named  in  this  order  accompany  him. 
By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

L.  W.  BARNHART.  Assistant  Adjutant  (tenerat. 

Hospital  Steward  Barron  S.  Edwards,  of  the  regiment,  was 
ordered  to  report  to  Surgeon  Lothrop  for  duty.  Assistant  Sur 
geon  James  Hervey  was  now  in  charge  of  the  hospital  depart 
ment  of  the  regiment,  with  Geo.  Delf elder  as  Hospital  Steward. 
At  this  time  (August  7th)  general  order  No.  15  was  promul- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

.gated,  a  copy  of  which  has  been  inserted  upon  preceding  pages. 
On  the  evening  of  the  7th  the  sick  and  disabled  of  the  division, 
numbering  268  men  and  live  officers,  were  ordered  on  board  the 
hospital  transport,  and  at  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th  left  Alexandria  for  New  Orleans,  arriving  at  the  latter 
place  at  four  A.  M.  of  the  9th.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  time 
required  to  reach  New  Orleans  from  Alexandria  was  twenty-six 
hours.  There  could  have  been  no  valid  excuse  for  the  criminal 
neglect  in  supplying  that  cavalry  division  promptly  with  all 
needed  supplies.  No  explanation,  to  the  writer's  knowledge, 
has  ever  been  given  as  to  this  matter. 

The  cavalry  division  left  Alexandria  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  and  marched,  in  conformity  with  general  order  No.  15,  by 
the  way  of  Hiekinari's  Ferry  on  the  Saline  river,  Jasper,  Liv 
ingston,  8 wartout,  Danville  and  other  towns,  to  Hempstead, 
Texas,  a  distance  of  about  240  miles,  arriving  at  that  place 
August  26th,  ••with  rations  exhausted,  many  of  the  soldiers 
barefooted,  almost  naked  and  without  blankets,  and  with  no 
supplies  provided." 

August  12th,  while  on  the  march,  the  Lieutenant  in  charge 
of  the  ambulance  corps  was  relieved  for  "gross  neglect  of 
duty,"  and  Lieutenant,  H.  S.  Heberling,  Company  B.  First 
Iowa .Cavalry,  was  ordered  "detached  as  ambulance  officer  of 
the  division." 

On  August  27th,  one  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  command 
at  Hempstead,  the  supply  of  quinine  again  becoming  exhausted, 
four  ounces  was  purchased  of  Quartermaster  Fluke  at  a  cost  of 
eighteen  dollars.  While  on  the  inarch  complaints  and  protests 
were  frequently  made  to  the  commanding  General  as  to  the 
treatment  and  suffering  of  the  men,  but  no  attention  was  given 
to  the  matter. 

These  abuses  had  become  so  unbearable  that  at  one  time 
Colonel  Thompson,  commanding  the  Second  Brigade,  entered 
a  most  earnest  protest,  saying  among  other  things  that  neither 
he  nor  hi*  brigade  would  farther  submit  to  these  outrages,  (see 


228  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen's  report.)  A  member  of  Corn-< 
pany  M,  in  a  communication  to  the  Lyons  (Iowa)  Mirror,  at 
this  time,  writes  :  ' '  The  march  from  Alexandria  to  this  place 
(Hempstead)  was  the  most  severe  and  uncomfortable,  and 
attended  with  more  suffering  than  any  the  regiment  has  experi 
enced  during  its  four  years'  service  in  the  field. ' ' 

On  August  28th,  writes  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen,  the 
Chief  Commissary  procured  from  some  place  and  issued  five 
days'  rations  of  hogs'  jowls  and  hard  bread.  The  jowls  had 
about  one-fifth  of  the  hair  still  on  them,  and  out  of  which  tusks 
were  taken  measuring  seven  and  one-half  inches  in  length,  and 
apparently  three  inches  must  have  been  worn  off  their  points 
by  long  usage — a  sample  of  which  was  sent  to  and  no  doubt 
can  be  seen  with  the  Historical  Society  of  the  State  of  Wis 
consin. 

Soldiers  who  had  money  purchased  supplies  from  the  coun 
try  in  violation  of  orders,  but  those  who  had  no  money  were 
compelled  to  rob  their  emaciated  horses  of  a  portion  of  their 
stinted  supply  of  corn,  and  by  parching  and  boiling  it  man 
aged  to  appease  the  pangs  of  hunger  and  sustain  life  for  a  pe 
riod  of  fifteen  days— the  numerous  appeals  of  regimental  com 
manders  for  relief  proving  of  no  avail.  "The  writer  has 
personal  knowledge  of  this  condition  of  affairs,  and  was  fre 
quently  present  at  this  k  diet  of  worms."  "  This  "mixed  diet" 
continued  until  September  10th,  when,  after  repeated  appeals 
had  been  made,  the  following  order  for  the  inspection  of  rations 
was  issued,  and  much  of  the  filth  was  ordered  to  be  destroyed  : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  DIVISION  CAVALRY. 

MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF. 

September  l()th.  lH6f>. 
SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  48.  (Extract.) 

II.  Each  regimental  Surgeon  is  ordered  to  inspect  the  rations  issued 
to  the  men  of  this  command  whenever  any  part  of  it  is  of  such  inferior 
quality  as  to  render  it  unfit  for  use.  The  regimental  and  brigade  com 
missaries  will  immediately  supply  the  place  of  the  defective  portion  by 
an  issue  of  good  quality. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  229 

Regimental  and  brigade  commanders  will  use  every  effort  to  supply 
their  men  with  good  rations. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Ouster. 

Official :  JACOB  L.  GREENE,  Major  and  A.  A.  General. 

R.  T.  NEWELL,  Lt.  and  A.  C.  3.  and  A.  A.  A.  O., 

Commanding  Officer  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

On  August  29th  Surgeon  Lothrop  and  Hospital  Steward  Ed 
wards  joined  the  regiment  by  the  way  of  Galveston  and  Hous 
ton,  Surgeon  Lothrop  having  made  a  requisition  for  medical 
supplies  before  leaving  New  Orleans,  a  portion  of  which  was  lost 
in  transportation  to  the  command.  September  9th  special  or 
der  No.  19,  called  the  Ct  Drill  and  Grazing  Order,"  was  issued, 
(see  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen's  report,)  another  monument 
to  the  supreme  ignorance  and  stupidity  of  the  commanding 
General.  On  the  same  day  (9th)  the  division  was  inspected  by 
Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  P.  Vollum,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.. 
Medical  Director  of  the  Department  of  Texas,  and  by  Major 
Harrison,  U.  S.  A.,  Special  Inspector  of  Cavalry.  After  in 
spection,  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  the  officers  of  the 
division,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Vollum  said  to  Lieutenant  Colonel 
McQueen,  ^  You  have  the  best  regiment  in  the  department," 
and  Major  Harrison  corroborated  the  statement.  This  brave 
old  regiment,  notwithstanding  all  its  sufferings,  trials  and 
abuses,  heaped  upon  it  by  the  commanding  General,  maintained 
its  noted  reputation  for  military  discipline  and  soldierly  bearing. 
Proud  of  its  position,  and  feeling  that  the  State  of  Iowa  should 
ever  be  proud  of  her  First  Cavalry,  sustained  it  in  its  trials, 
and  its  already  bright  escutcheon  was  made  more  effulgent  by 
the  decision  of  these  disinterested  and  most  competent  Inspec 
tors.  At  this  place  (Hempstead)  special  order  No.  2,  known 
as  the  whipping  and  head  shaving  order,  was  first  carried  into 
effect. 

At  this  time  wormy  hard  bread  and  hogs'  jowls  were  the 
principal  articles  of  diet.  Some  beef  cattle  running  at  large 
on  the  prairie  were  killed  in  disobedience  of  orders  to  obtain 


230  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

food  to  appease  the  cravings  of  hunger  of  the  half -starved  men. 
A  thorough  search  through  the  camp  was  made  and  portions  of 
the  interdicted  property  found  in  the  camp  of  the  Twelfth  Illi 
nois  and  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry  Regiments.  The  parties 
accused  were  whipped  and  their  heads  shaved,  without  trial,  and 
no  opportunity  given  for  defense.  None  of  the  beef  was  found 
in  the  camp  of  the  Second  Brigade,  composed  of  the  First  Iowa 
and  Second  Wisconsin  Regiments,  and  the  following  letter  from 
Major  General  Ouster  was  ordered  to  be  read  by  each  company 
commander  of  the  brigade  to  their  respective  companies  : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 

SECOND  CAV.  Div.  MIL.  Div.  OF  THE  GULF, 

September  4th.  1865. 
GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  5. 

The  following-  letter  from  the  Major  General  Commanding-  is  pub 
lished  for  the  information  of  this  command  : 

••HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  DIVISION  CAVALRY. 

MIL.  Div.  OF  THE  GULF,  September  4th.  1865. 
••COL.  WM.  THOMPSON,  Comdg.  Second  Brigade: 

' '  For  the  past  few  days  parties  from  this  command  have  been  com 
mitting-  depredations  upon  the  persons  and  property  of  citizens  of  this 
neighborhood.  Yesterday,  without  even  the  excuse  of  want,  a  party  of 
soldiers  belonging-  to  this  division  butchered  a  number  of  cattle  belong 
ing-  to  Dr.  Peebles,  who  is  probably  the  most  thoroug-h  Union  man  in 
the  State,  having-  been  incarcerated  in  prison  for  nearly  a  year  by  the 
rebel  authorities,  owing-  to  his  strong-  Union  sentiments,  and  afterward 
forced  to  leave  the  State  to  save  his  life  from  rebel  mobs.  The  party 
referred  to  as  having-  committed  the  depredations  yesterday,  beyond 
appropriating1  a  portion  to  their  own  use,  wantonly  destroyed  the  greater 
portion  of  what  they  had  stolen.  To  arrest  and  bring-  to  punishment 
the  g-uilty  parties,  a  staff  officer  was  sent  from  these  headquarters  this 
morning-,  one  to  each  regiment  in  the  command,  with  orders  to  make  a 
thoroug-h  search  for  the  stolen  property.  The  search  and  investigations 
have  been  completed,  and  while  two  regiments  of  the  First  Brigade 
(the  Second  Illinois  and  Seventh  Indiana)  were  found  in  possession  of 
large  quantities  of  the  stolen  property,  the  regiments  of  your  brigade 
are  reported  as  being  not  only  fully  exonorated,  but  above  the  suspi 
cion  even  of  participating  in  the  outrages  referred  to  above,  and  I  take 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  231 

pleasure  in  congratulating-  you  upon  having  a  command  the  officers  and 
men  of  which  are  so  strictly  honest  and  upright  as  to  afford  a  shining 
example  to  other  portions  of  this  command. 

"  I   am,  Colonel,  very  respectfully  yours,  &c., 

"G.  A.  CUSTER,  Major  General  Comdg."1' 

The  Colonel  commanding  this  brigade,  having  more  than  ordinary 
confidence  in  the  honesty  and  good  deportment  of  his  command,  feels 
confident  that  in  no  case  as  heretofore  will  any  criminal  blame  be  fast 
ened  upon  his  command. 

By  order  of  Colonel  Wm.  Thompson,  commanding  brigade. 

Official :  H.  L.  MORRJLL,  Lieut,  and  A.  A.  A.  O. 

C.  C.  KAUFFMAN.  Lieut,  and  Actg.  Adjt.  1st  Iowa  Cav. 

On  September  14th,  Horace  C.  Cure,  Company  M,  First 
Iowa  Cavalry,  an  honest,  faithful  veteran,  who  had  been  de 
tailed  as  teamster  in  one  of  the  division  trains,  was  whipped 
{25  lashes)  and  his  head  shaved,  in  accordance  with  order  No.  2. 
The  following  is  a  true  copy  of  the  order  issued  in  his  case  : 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

September  14th.  1865. 
CAPTAIN  DAVIDSON,  Commanding  Provost  Guard: 

You  will  at  once  shave  the  head  and  lash  G.  Darr,  Company  D. 
Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  H.  Cure.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  teamsters 
in  Captain  Lyons1  train,  and  Gunsales  of  same  train.  *  *  * 

C.  W.  LEE.  Provost  Marshal. 

After  obtaining  the  following  certificate  from  Captain  Da 
vidson  as  to  its  being  a  true  copy  of  the  original  order,  Surgeon 
Lothrop  enclosed  the  same  with  his  report  to  Governor  Stone 
of  Iowa.  Following  is  a  copy  of  Captain  Davidson's  certificate  : 

HEADQUARTERS  PROVOST  GUARD. 

CAMP  NEAR  HEMPSTEAD.  TEXAS,  September  16th.  1865. 
I    certify  that  the   above  is  a  true  copy  of  the  original  order  now  in 
my  possession.  GEORGE  B.  DAVIDSON, 

Captain  Commanding  Provost  Guard. 

2d  Cav.  Div  Mil.  Div.  Gulf. 

Following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  received  from  Governor 
Stone  acknowledging  reeeipt  of  letter  and  order : 


232  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

STATE  OF  IOWA,  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 

DESMOINES,  October  19th.  1865. 
DR.  C.  H.  LOTHROP,  Surgeon  1st  Iowa  Cavalry  : 

Sir — Your  letter  of  September  loth,  1865,  in  reference  to  the  punish 
ment  of  Horace  Cure,  and  enclosing1  copies  of  orders  relating-  thereto, 
is  received,  and  in  answer  thereto  I  have  the  honor  to  reply  that  Gov- 
erno'r  Stone  has  been  in  receipt  of  information  to  the  effect  that  General 
Ouster  has  issued  such  an  order.  He  has  already  communicated  with 
the  War  Department,  asking  that  the  matter  be  searchingiy  investi 
gated,  and  that  the  First  Iowa  be  mustered  out,  if  its  services  can  pos 
sibly  be  spared.  He  is  informed  that  the  subject  has  been  referred  to 
Major  General  Sheridan. 

The  Governor  is  obliged  to  you  for  the  definite  information  you  have 
furnished,  which  will  enable  him  the  better  to  protect  this  Iowa  regi 
ment.  Yours  truly, 

GEO.  J.  NORTH.  Mil.  Sec. 

Private  Cure  was  arrested  on  suspicion  only  that  he  knew 
the  parties  who  had  killed  a  beef  running  on  the  prairie  and 
brought  it  in  to  the  train  ;  and  because  he  would  not  or  could 
not  give  information  as  to  who  the  parties  were  he  was  punished, 
not  because  he  assisted  in  killing  the  beef,  but  because  he  did 
not  know  who  killed  it ;  and  for  the  want  of  this  knowledge 
his  head  was  shaved  and  he  received  twenty-five  lashes,  by  com 
mand  of  the  author  of  the  slave  driver  order.  The  effect  pro 
duced  upon  the  regiment  by  thus  punishing  one  of  its  members 
was  an  intense  but  suppressed  excitement,  and  the  men  gath 
ered  in  squads  with  carbines  in  hand,  determined  to  avenge  the 
ignominious  insult  thus  offered  to  the  old  regiment.  They  be 
lieved  that  longer  forbearance  was  not  a  virtue ;  that  the 
proud  State  of  Iowa  would  not  request  her  sons  to  tamely  sub 
mit  to  such  outrages ;  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen, 
although  a  strict  Presbyterian,  forgot  himself  to  a  slight  de 
gree- — for,  after  calling  the  men  together,  and  at  the  termina 
tion  of  a  pacific  speech  counselling  moderation  and  forbearance, 
and  requesting  that  no  unlawful  act  should  be  committed  on 
the  part  of  the  regiment,  said  :  1 1  Let  Ouster  whip  Cure  if 
he  dares.  He  will  then  be  the  aggressor.  But  if  General  Cus- 


Lieut,  W,  P.  ALLEN, 


COMPANY    C. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  233 

ter  attempts  again  to  lay  violent  hands  on  a  First  Iowa  soldier, 
I  will  here  say  his  hide  will  not  hold  corn,  by  God  ! ' ' 

It  was  well  for  General  Ouster  that  this  cruel  act  was  never 
repeated.  Reports  were  made  to  Governor  Stone  by  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  McQueen,  and  to  the  Governor  of  Wisconsin  by 
Colonel  N.  H.  Dale.  The  War  Department  referred  the  mat 
ter  to  Major  General  Sheridan,  commanding  the  Department  of 
the  Gulf,  asking  for  a  report  to  show  cause  for  this  4  k  cruel  and 
inhuman  treatment. ' ' 

Governor  Stone  presented  the  matter,  with  papers  and  evi 
dence  in  the  case,  before  the  Iowa  State  Legislature,  and  the 
following  report  was  made  and  resolutions  passed  in  reference 
to  the  matter  : 

MR.  SPEAKER  : — Your  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  commu 
nication  of  the  Governor  and  accompanying"  documents  in  relation  to 
outrages  alleged  to  have  been  committed  upon  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
by  General  Ouster,  have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and  beg 
leave  to  report : 

That  having  been  connected  with  that  regiment  for  three  years  of 
the  war,  they  are  well  acquainted  with  its  services,  history  and  charac 
ter,  which,  if  published  to  the  world,  would  reflect  no  little  credit  upon 
the  State  of  Iowa,  as  have  all  the  soldiers  from  this  young  and  patriotic 
State.  The  committee  are  satisfied,  from  the  evidence  before  them, 
that  members  of  that  regiment  have  unjustly  received  from  the  hands 
of  Major  General  Custer,  while  under  his  command,  such  ill-treatment 
as  no  other  Iowa  soldiers  have  ever  been  called  upon  to  endure  ;  that 
such  treatment  or  punishment  was  dishonorable  to  the  General  inflicting 
it,  degrading  to  the  name  of  American  soldier,  unworthy  of  the  cause 
in  which  they  were  engaged,  and  in  direct  and  flagrant  violation  of  the 
laws  of  Congress  and  the  rules  and  articles  of  war. 

The  regiment  was  one  of  the  foremost  in  answering  their  country's 
call  to  put  down  the  rebellion,  having  enlisted  in  April  and  May,  1861, 
and  so  eager  were  they  to  take  an  honorable  part  in  their  country's  ser 
vice,  and  fearing  that  Iowa's  quota  of  troops  would  not  be  large  enough 
to  admit  a  cavalry  regiment  from  this  State,  they  immediately,  after 
their  organization,  tendered  their  services  direct  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  and  they  were  accepted  by  him  as  an  independent  regiment.  Ev 
ery  enlisted  man  furnished  his  own  horse  and  equipments,  and  contin- 
30 


234:  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ued  to  do  so  until  July,  1864,  when  they  were  compelled  to  sell  them. 
Early  in  1864  nearly  six  hundred  of  them  re-enlisted  for  another  term 
of  three  years.  They  served  in  all  the  campaigns  of  Missouri  and 
Arkansas,  and  were  honorably  mentioned  in  general  orders  by  Generals 
Rosecrans,  Davidson,  Herron,  Blunt,  Dana,  Reynolds,  and  others,  and 
even  by  General  Ouster  himself,  as  will  appear  hereafter  in  this  report. 

This  regiment  was  first  under  the  command  of  Major  General  Ouster 
on  the  day  of  its  arrival  from  Memphis.  Tennessee,  at  Alexandria, 
Louisiana,  which  was  on  the  23d  day  of  June,  1865  ;  on  the  following 
day,  viz.,  the  24th  day  of  June,  1865,  General  Ouster  issued  his  special 
order  No.  2,  one  clause  of  which  is  in  these  words,  viz  : 

"Every  violation  of  this  order  will  receive  prompt  and  severe  pun 
ishment.  Owing  to  the 'delay  of  courts  martial,  and  their  impractica 
bility  when  the  command  is  unsettled,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  any  en 
listed  man  of  this  command  violating  the  above  order,  or  committing 
depredations  upon  the  persons  or  property  of  citizens,  will  have  his 
head  shaved,  and  in  addition  will  receive  twenty-five  lashes  upon  his 
back,  well  laid  on." 

Another  clause  of  this  order  is  as  follows  :  • '  Citizens  of  the  sur 
rounding  country  are  earnestly  invited  to  furnish  to  these  headquarters 
any  information  they  may  acquire  which  will  lead  to  the  discovery  of 
any  parties  violating  the  foregoing  order." 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  state  that  the  above  order,  aside  from 
its  brutality  and  inhumanity,  is  in  direct  violation  of  a  law  of  Congress, 
approved  August  5th,  1861  ;  while  the  latter  part  of  it  is,  as  every  offi 
cer  and  soldier  knows,  too  readily  responded  to  by  rebel  citizens  eager 
to  bring  Union  soldiers  into  discredit  and  disgrace.  On  the  14th  of 
September,  1865,  General  Ouster,  through  his  Provost  Marshal,  issued 
the  following  order :  "To  Captain  Davidson,  commanding  provost 
guard  :  You  will  at  once  shave  the  heads  and  lash  G.  Darr,  Company  D. 
Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  H.  Cure,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  teamsters 
in  Captain  Lyon's  train,  and  Gunsales  of  same  train,"  which  was  ac 
cordingly  executed  on  the  same  day.  without  subjecting  the  parties  to 
any  trial  whatever,  and  in  the  absence  of  any  charges  preferred 
against  them. 

The  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  the  Fifth  and  Twelfth  Illinois  Cav 
alry,  and  the  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry,  were  also  with  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  under  General  Ouster,  all  of  whom  were  alike  subject  to  the 
punishments  and  severities  inflicted  by  the  provisions  of  said  order, 
and  the  many  other  indignities  heaped  upon  both  officers  and  men  of 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  235 

that  command,  (to  which  special  reference  is  not  made  by  your  com 
mittee,  )  were  of  daily  occurrence — insomuch  that  many  soldiers  de 
serted  what  they  termed  a  reign  of  terror,  even  though  the  war  had 
ended,  and  a  prospect  of  a  speedy  return  to  their  homes  and  firesides, 
and  an  honorable  discharge  from  their  long  and  active  service,  were 
about  to  be  soon  realized. 

The  existence  of  these  outrages  was  finally  brought  to  the  notice  of 
the  Governors  of  the  several  States  of  Wisconsin,  Indiana,  Illinois  and 
Iowa,  all  of  whom  notified  the  War  Department  in  behalf  of  their  re 
spective  regiments.  Governor  Stone  sent  repealed  cummunications  to 
the  Secretary  of  War  upon  the  subject,  and  demanded  that  the  order 
referred  to  should  be  rescinded  and  the  First  Iowa  mustered  out.  The 
subject  was  referred  to  Major  General  Sheridan,  commanding  the  Mili 
tary  Division  of  the  Gulf,  with  instructions  to  investigate,  and  if  any 
ground  of  complaint  existed,  to  redress  it  and  muster  out  the  regiment 
if  he  thought  it  should  be  done.  The  matter  was  referred  by  him  to 
General  Custer,  with  directions  that  the  order  referred  to  should  be 
immediately  rescinded,  which  was  complied  with,  and  ordered  that  an 
investigation  should  be  had  ;  but  your  committee  are  of  the  opinion 
that  no  such  an  investigation  was  ever  had.  General  Sheridan,  in  a 
communication  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  while  he  was  favorable  to 
strict  discipline  and  severe  punishments,  held  whipping  and  shaving 
heads  in  such  horror  as  to  express  the  belief  that  General  Custer  had 
never  whipped  men — although  the  latter,  in  an  official  communication 
afterwards,  acknowledged  that  he  had  done  so  in  the  case  of  the  per 
sons  named. 

General  Custer,  in  justification  of  his  barbarous  treatment,  and  of 
his  conduct  in  suspending  courts  martial  and  substituting  unlawful  and 
unwarrantable  orders,  denounced  the  character  of  his  entire  command 
of  five  regiments — including  field  and  line  officers — as  ' '  infamous  and 
mutinous."  In  contrast  with  these  unwarrantable  and  sweeping 
charges,  made  against  a  regiment  of  soldiers  whose  conduct  and  bear 
ing  had  been  hitherto  irreproachable,  your  committee  beg  leave  to  re 
fer  to  the  inspection  reports  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  made  by  Lieuten 
ant  S.  M.  Lake,  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General,  Captain  E.  J. 
Myers,  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General,  and  Captain  R.  M.  Rey 
nolds,  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General,  for  the  months  of  March. 
April,  May  and  June,  1865,  and  a  report  by  Inspector  General  C.  S. 
Bowman,  U.  S.  A.,  Special  Inspector  of  Cavalry,  in  the  month  of  July, 
1865,  at  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  [also  by  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel 


236  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Vollum,  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  and  Medical  Director  of  the  Department  of 
Texas,  and  Major  Harrison,  Special  Inspector  of  Cavalry,  at  Hemp- 
stead,  Texas,  September  9th,  1865. — LOTHROP,]  from  which  it  will  ap 
pear  that  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  were  never  in  better  discipline,  and 
were  specially  mentioned  in  such  reports  as  being  the  finest  regiment 
of  cavalry,  and  the  best  officered,  in  the  service.  Furthermore,  General 
Custer  himself,  in  his  official  report  to  Major  General  Sheridan,  made 
on  the  26th  of  October,  1865,  and  while  in  command  of  the  same  troops 
whose  character  he  had  defamed  so  recently,  made  this  remarkable  ad 
mission  :  "I  am  happy  to  say,  that  to-day  no  better  behaved  regi 
ments  are  included  in  the  volunteer  force  than  those  now  composing 
my  command." 

Without  entering  upon  a  detailed  history  of  the  many  other  indig 
nities  and  injuries  received  at  the  hands  of  their  commanding  General. 
by  both  officers  and  men  of  this  regiment,  your  committee  desire  to  add, 
in  conclusion,  that  the  many  efforts  made  by  Governor  Stone,  Secretary 
Harlan,  Hon.  J.  W.  Grimes,  Hon.  James  F.  Wilson  and  many  others, 
in  behalf  of  this  regiment,  to  secure  their  muster  out  of  service,  or 
their  removal  from  the  command  of  General  Custer,  proved  unavailing 
until  very  recently,  and  it  is  understood  that  they  are  mustered  out  of 
service,  and  will  probably  be  home. about  the  first  of  April,  when  they 
shall  have  nearly  completed  a  term  of  five  years1  service  for  the  preser 
vation  of  their  country's  name  and  honor.  We  respectfully  submit  the 
annexed  resolution,  and  recommend  its  adoption. 

T.  A.  BEREMAN, 
HENRY  L.  DASHIELL. 
S.  A.  FLANDERS. 

Whereas,  By  an  act  of  Congress  approved  August  5th,  1861,  passed 
from  a  consideration  of  the  fact  that  the  perilous  condition  of  the  coun 
try  was  inducing  many  thousands  of  its  best  and  most  patriotic  citizens 
to  enlist  in  the  ranks,  the  barbarous  and  inhuman  punishment  of  flog 
ging  was  prohibited  throughout  the  armies  of  the  United  States ; 

And  Whereas,  By  special  order  No.  2,  dated  at  Headquarters  Cav 
alry  Division,  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  June  24th,  1865,  issued  by  com 
mand  of  Major  General  Custer,  authority  was  given  to  Provost  Mar 
shals  to  cause  American  soldiers  to  be  punished  by  '  -  twenty-five  lashes 
on  the  back,  well  laid  on,"  without  their  being  allowed  the  formality  of 
a  trial  by  court  martial : 

And  Whereas,  On  the  14th  day  of  September,  1865,  two  American  sol 
diers,  one  of  whom  was  a  member  of  First  Regiment  Iowa  Veteran 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  237 

Cavalry,  were  punished  by  flogging,  by  parties  acting  under  authority 
of  said  order  :     Therefore, 

Be  it  Resolved  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Iowa,  That, 
while  we  i^cognize  the  necessity  of  strict  enforcement  of  military  dis 
cipline,  and  the  propriety  of  punishing  every  violation  thereof  in  such 
manner  as  the  laws  of  Congress  and  articles  of  war  may  direct,  we 
also  consider  the  infliction  of  the  cruel  and  barbarous  punishment  re 
ferred  to  could  only  have  a  tendency  to  render  soldiers  discontented 
and  insubordinate,  and  that  by  this  wanton  and  atrocious  outrage,  the 
majesty  of  the  law  has  been  contemned,  the  honor  of  the  State  has 
been  insulted,  and  the  rights  of  American  soldiers  trampled  under  foot, 
and  we  demand  that  the  author  thereof  be  held  to  strict  accountability, 
and,  after  proper  trial,  be  subjected  to  condign  punishment,  that  future 
tyrants  may  take  warning  from  the  example. 

General  Ouster,  in  order  to  vindicate  himself  in  his  cruelty, 
denounced  the  character  of  his  entire  command,  both  officers 
and  soldiers,  as  c ;  infamous, ' '  and  that  they  were  ' '  a  terror  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  locality,  and  a  disgrace  to  this  or  any 
other  service." 

Notwithstanding  General  Ouster's  most  untruthful  and  infa 
mous  report,  by  command  of  Major  General  Sheridan  all  ob 
noxious  orders  were  soon  afterward  revoked.  It  is  but  just  to 
say  that  Lieutenant  Oolonel  McQueen  had  the  most  cordial 
support  of  his  subordinate  officers,  and  the  officers  that  of  the 
men,  during  this  reign  of  inhumanity. 

On  September  17th  the  Fifth  Illinois  Oavalry  regiment  was 
ordered  to  be  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

September  21st,  Oolonel  William  Thompson  was  relieved  of 
the  command  of  the  Second  Brigade  and  assumed  command  of 
the  regiment. 

The  command  remained  at  Hempstead,  endeavoring  to  obey 
•wn military  orders  of  the  commanding  General,  horse-racing,  etc. , 
until  October  30th. 

Following  is  a  statement  of  medicines  purchased  of  Quarter 
master  Fluke,  as  appears  from  the  record  made  at  the  time, 
now  in  possession  of  Surgeon  Lothrop  : 


238  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

May  6 — 22  oz.  quinine,  at  $5 . 00, $110.00 

11  27—  4  »  "  4.50,  -  -  -  -  18.00 

Oct.  10— Medicine,     -  -11.75 

"    17 — 2  oz.  quinine,  at  $4.50,  -     -     -     -     -     -     *9.00 

11    21—3    "                     "4.50,  -  13.50 

"    25—2   «'                     "     4.50,  -     -     -     -     -       9.00 

"  30—3  "  "  "  4.50,  ------  15.00 


$186.25 

Making  a  total  amount  of  $186.25  expended  for  medicines 
which  should  have  been  used  for  the  purchase  of  proper  food 
and  delicacies  for  the  sick,  and  would  have  been  so  expended 
had  the  medical  department  of  the  division  furnished  the  neces 
sary  medical  supplies. 

On  October  21st  occurred  the  "celebrated  horse  race"  be 
tween  ' '  Jack  Rucker, ' '  General  Ouster's  race  horse,  and  a  cap 
tured  horse  of  Company  0,  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  It  was 
essentially  ' ;  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  against  General  Ouster  and 
his  staff.'1  Large  sums  of  money  were  "  put  up  "  and  lost  by 
the  regiment,  as  was  generally  believed  and  openly  asserted,  by 
the  treachery  of  the  rider  (Nicholas  LaCosta,  a  Mexican,  and  a 
private  of  Company  C)  of  the  horse  4 '  backed ' '  by  the  regiment, 
the  rider  having  received  a  liberal  compensation  from  General 
Custer  or  his  friends.  That  the  race  had  been  c '  sold ' '  was  so 
evident  that  the  citizens  who  witnessed  the  race  were  loud  in 
their  denunciations  of  the  dastardly  act,  and  had  the  rider  not 
suddenly  disappeared  for  a  time  he  would  have  received  the 
punishment  he  so  wTell  merited. 

Feeling  greatly  elated  over  the  result  of  the  race,  the  Gen 
eral's  staff  officers  visited  the  camp  of  the  regiment  at  night  for 
the  purpose  of  having  a  little  recreation  at  ' '  poker. ' '  As  the 
evening  advanced  the  ' i  recreation ' '  changed  to  ' '  business, ' ' 
and  before  the  early  dawn  of  the  next  morning  the  ; '  funds ' '  with 
accumulations  were  once  more  within  the  precincts  of  the  regi 
ment. 

Soon  afterward,  by  order  of  General  Custer,  our  "Company 


HISTOKY  OF  FIKST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  239 

C  horse'-  was  transferred  to  the  Quartermaster  of  General  Cus- 
ter's  staff.  This,  however,  did  not  prevent  the  regiment  from 
1 4  getting  even ' '  with  the  General  and  his  staff,  as  will  be  noted 
hereafter. 

On  Monday,  October  30th,  at  five  A.  M.,  the  command 
inarched  for  Austin,  Texas,  and  camped  two  miles  distant  from 
Brenham,  the  county  seat  of  Washington  county,  having 
marched  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles. 

October  31st,  marched  at  six  A.  M.  Passed  through  Bren 
ham,  Muscatine  and  Union  Hill,  and  camped  half  a  mile  distant 
from  Round  Top,  in  Fayette  county — all  small  towns — dis 
tance  marched  eighteen  miles. 

November  1st,  marched  at  6  A.  M.  By  mistake  the  train 
marched  by  the  way  of  LeGrange.  Camped  on  Rah's  creek, 
eight  miles  west  from  LeGrange.  Distance  marched  twenty- 
three  miles. 

November  2d,  marched  at  6  A.  M.  Passed  through  Win 
chester  and  camped  at  Bastrop,  a  town  on  Piney  creek,  a 
small  branch  of  the  Colorado  river  in  Bastrop  county.  Dis 
tance  marched  twenty-seven  miles. 

November  3d,  marched  at  six  A.  M.,  and  camped  on  Walnut 
creek,  six  miles  distant  from  Austin,  the  Capital  of  the  State, 
in  Travis  county.  Distance  marched  twenty-seven  miles. 

November  4th,  marched  at  eight  A.  M.  ,  and  camped  two 
miles  distant  from  Austin,  on  the  banks  of  the  Colorado  river. 
Distance  marched  four  miles.  The  total  distance  marched  be 
ing  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  miles. 

The  headquarters  of  the  regiment  remained  near  the  city  of 
Austin  until  its  muster  out  of  the  United  States  service. 

During  the  time  the  command  was  encamped  at  this  place, 
detachments  were  sent  out  at  different  times  to  various  places, 
for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  local  authorities  in  enforcing 
the  laws  of  the  State.  On  one  occasion  a  large  detachment 
was  sent  to  Bonham,  a  town  in  Fannin  county,  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  State,  near  the  border  of  the  Indian  Territory. 


240  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Horse  races  were  of  almost  daily  occurrence — General  Ous 
ter's  father,  brother  and  other  members  of  the  General's  staff 
being  among  the  participants.  The  principal  race,  however, 
took  place  on  the  race  track  near  the  city  of  Austin,  called  the 
city  race  track,  between  a  citizen's  horse  and  General  Ouster's 
horse,  "Jack  Rucker."  Previous  to  leaving  Hempstead,  a 
citizen  who  was  in  sympathy  with  the  regiment  referred  a  few 
of  us  to  a  citizen  living  near  Austin  who  had  a  stud  of  the 
fastest  and  finest  horses  in  the  State.  Determined  to  outgen 
eral  General  Ouster,  a  call  was  made  upon  this  gentleman  on 
the  day  after  our  arrival  at  Austin.  After  informing  him  as 
to  our  business  with  him,  he  very  cheerfully  entered  into  the 
project,  and  a  few  days  afterward  it  was  announced  that  Gen 
eral  Ouster  ' c  had  made  a  race  with  a  citizen. "  After  the  race 
had  been  decided  upon,  the  citizen  very  innocently  made  his 
way  to  our  camp  and  informed  us  of  what  had  taken  place. 
The  stakes  were  $3,000 — $1,500  on  the  part  of  each.  In  or 
der  to  show  his  good  faith  and  his  confidence  in  the  running 
qualities  of  his  little  mare,  he  proposed  to  furnish  the  amount, 
$1,500,  himself,  and  the  regiment  might  take  all  the  bets  they 
could  possibly  obtain.  The  result  was  the  regiment  gave  the 
General  and  his  staff  an  opportunity  to  again  invest.  They 
improved  the  opportunity  and  4 '  put  up "  all  the  money  they 
could  raise. 

Neither  General  Ouster  nor  his  staff  were  aware  of  any  action 
of  the  regiment  in  the  matter.  A  few  days  before  the  race  was 
to  be  run,  a  soldier  called  upon  the  citizen,  at  the  instance,  as 
was  reported  and  believed,  of  General  Ouster  and  his  staff,  and 
offered  him  $1,500  if  he  would  permit  without  question  Gen 
eral  Ouster's  horse  to  win.  The  citizen  refused  to  entertain  the 
proposition,  saying  • 4 1  was  not  brought  up  to  run  horses  that 
way.  If  your  horse  is  the  fastest  he  takes  the  money ;  if  my 
mare  is  the  fastest  she  gets  it."  Afterward  he  came  to  the 
camp  and  informed  us  of  this  dishonorable  attempt.  On  the 
day  appointed  the  race  took  place.  The  General  and  his  staff, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  241 

with  their  wives  in  ambulances,  were  present.  The  division 
band  was  also  present  to  assist  in  celebrating  the  victory  of 
"Jack  Rucker,"  his  driver  being  fantastically  arrayed  in  red, 
white  and  blue  colors.  They  were  all  there  to  see  how  easily 
the  General's  horse  was  going  to  "get  away"  with  the  citizen's 
mare.  The  distance  to  be  run  was  six  hundred  yards.  After 
jockeying  on  the  part  of  the  trainer  of  the  General's  horse,  the 
start  was  made,  and  the  horse,  Jack  Rucker,  was  beaten  by  the 
little  mare,  by  a  distance  of  more  than  sixty  feet.  Cheer  up 
on  cheer  went  up  from  the  boys  and  citizens  assembled  there  to 
witness  the  race,  intermingled  with  such  expressions  as,  L '  How 
are  you,  General  Ouster  ? "  "  Couldn't  steal  the  race  this  time  ! '' 
' '  Why  don't  you  make  your  band  blow  ? " — and  many  other 
expressions.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  band  did  not  Mow, 
that  the  ladies  did  not  wave  their  handkerchiefs,  and  that  the 
General  and  his  staff,  and  the  band  and  ambulances  retreated  in 
disorder  and  confusion,  and  that  the  regimental  pocket  had  be 
come  plethoric,  with  a  correspondingly  flabby  condition  of  that 
of  the  staff.  The  next  day  a  staff  officer  came  into  camp  to 
negotiate  for  a  small  loan.  It  soon  became  known  that  w  i  that 
d — d  First  Iowa  Cavalry  was  at  the  bottom  of  it, '  * 

Nov.  29th.  Lieutenant  Samuel  T.  Craig,  Company  H,  de 
tached  from  his  company,  and  acting  as  Assistant  Quartermas 
ter,  was  by  command  of  General  Custer  sent  to  Galveston  to 
procure  a  much  needed  supply  of  quartermaster's  stores,  cloth 
ing,  camp  and  garrison  equipage  for  the  troops. 

During  this  time  Colonel  and  Brevet  Brigadier  General  S.  D. 
Sturgis  arrived  at  Austin  with  his  regiment,  the  Sixth  United 
States  Cavalry,  with  a  good  supply  of  clothing,  etc.,  and  some 
necessary  supplies  w^ere  obtained  from  him  for  the  regiment. 

December  14th.  General  Sturgis  was  in  command  of  the 
First  Brigade,  and  Lieutenant  H.  S.  Heberling,  Company  B, 
in  charge  of  the  ambulance  corps,  was  by  command  of  General 
Custer  ordered  to  report  (special  order  No.  10)  direct  to  Gen 
eral  Sturgis  for  orders.  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen,  having 
31 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

been  previously  promoted  to  Colonel  and  Brigadier  General 
United  States  Volunteers  by  brevet,  remained  in  command  of 
the  regiment.  Colonel  Thompson,  who  had  been  promoted 
(March  13th)  to  Brigadier  General  United  States  Volunteers  by 
brevet,  was  on  detached  service  in  the  city  of  Austin.  Thus 
closed  the  year  1865. 

The  personal  history  of  the  regiment  during  the  year  was  as 
follows  : 

The  following  named  officers  received  brevet  rank  United 
States  officers  :  Colonel  William  Thompson,  Brigadier  Gen 
eral  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Alexander  G.  McQueen,  Colonel  and 
Brigadier  General ;  Major  James  1).  Jenks,  Lieutenant  Colonel ; 
First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  H.  L.  Morrill,  Captain  and 
Major. 

Major  Thomas  A.  Bereman  had  resigned,  and  Captain  W. 
H.  Whisenand,  Company  H,  had  been  promoted  to  fill  the  va 
cancy.  Assistant  Surgeon  Asa  Morgan  had  been  promoted  to 
Surgeon  of  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry.  Hospital  Steward 
Robert  T.  Newell  was  promoted  to  Lieutenant  and  Commissary. 

The  following  promotions  had  taken  place  among  the  line 
officers  : 

Company  A — Second  Lieutenant  Thomas  J .  (TBlenessto  Cap 
tain  ;  Second  Lieutenant  Alexander  P.  Boyce  and  Sergeant 
James  P.  Turner  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants.  Lieutenant 
Turner  was  not  mustered  into  the  service  as  such. 

Company  C — First  Lieutenant  Thomas  J.  R.  Perry  to  Cap 
tain  ;  Second  Lieutenant  Clinton  M.  Turner  and  Sergeant 
George  VanBeek  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants.  Lieutenant 
VanBeek  was  not  mustered  into  the  service  as  such. 

Company  1) — Sergeant  John  C.  Hammon  to  Second  Lieuten 
ant,  but  was  not  mustered  into  the  service  as  such. 

Company  E First  Lieutenant  William  A.  Coulter  to  Captain  ; 

Second  Lieutenant  C.  C.  Kaufman  and  Sergeant  George  E. 
Ives  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants.  Second  Lieutenant  Ives 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  243 

was  discharged  for  disability,  and  Sergeant  Robert  Baxter  pro 
moted  to  fill  vacancy,  but  not  mustered  into  the  service  as  such. 

Company  F — Second  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  W.  Dow  and 
Sergeant  James  C.  Huskins  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  G — Second  Lieutenant  A.  W.  Hosford  to  Captain ; 
private  Ernest  A.  Klingenberg  and  Sergeant  Eli  Warring  to 
First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  H — First  Lieutenant  A.  U.  McCormick  to  Captain  ; 
Second  Lieutenant  Samuel  T.  Craig  and  Sergeant  George  M. 
Mark  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  I — First  Lieutenant  Amos  Dilley  to  Captain  ;  and 
Sergeants  Joseph  H.  Springer  and  Samuel  M.  Lindsay  to  First 
and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  K — Second  Lieutenant  James  M.  Russell  to  Cap 
tain  ;  Sergeants  Walter  W.  Carpenter  and  Charles  DuBois  to 
First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Company  M — Second  Lieutenant  Solomon  Townsend  to  Cap 
tain  ;  Second  Lieutenant  George  McDouall  and  Sergeant  Ed 
ward  Ware  to  First  and  Second  Lieutenants. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  A.  Russell,  Company  A,  and  First 
Lieutenant  Edwin  A.  Dunham,  Company  M,  were  honorably 
mustered  out  the  service  ;  and  Second  Lieutenant  William  B. 
Ramsey,  Company  D,  resigned. 

REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  McQUEEN. 
Following  is  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen  as 
to  the  outrageous  treatment  the  regiment  suffered  at  the  hands 
of  General  Ouster ;  General  Ouster's  effort  of  vindication  ;  Gen 
eral  Forsyth's  endorsement  of  General  Ouster's  acts  ;  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  McQueen's  reply  thereto  ;  Surgeon  Lothrop's  affi 
davit  as  to  the  untruthfulness  of  General  Forsyth's  endorse 
ment  ;  with  orders  and  other  papers  relating  to  the  matter,  as 
found  in  the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of 
Iowa  for  the  year  1867.  Also  more  recent  affidavits  of  officers 
and  men  who  were  present  with  the  command  at  that  time. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


The  rebellion  being  now  suppressed,  and  the  war  virtually  ended, 
the  regiment  fondly  indulged  the  hope  of  a  speedy  muster  out  of  the 
service.  While  indulging  in  this  fond  anticipation  orders  were  received 
from  Lieutenant  General  Grant,  with  silent  disappointment  by  all,  for 
the  regiment  to  proceed  to  the  State  of  Texas.  Pursuant  to  said  order 
the  First  Iowa,  Twelfth  and  Fifth  Illinois,  Second  Wisconsin  and  Sev 
enth  Indiana  Cavalry  Regiments  commenced  embarking  on  transports 
for  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  June  15th,  the  advance  arriving  and  report 
ing  to  Major  General  Ouster,  at  Alexandria.  June  22d  and  23d,  to  whose 
command  these  regiments  were  assigned.  But  before  the  troops  were 
fairly  in  camp  special  order  No.  2  was  published  to  the  command.  It 
is  as  follows  : 

'  •  HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY, 
••ALEXANDRIA,   LOUISIANA.  June  24th,  1865. 
••SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  2. 

•  •  Numerous  complaints  having  reached  these  headquarters  of  depre 
dations  having  been  committed  by  persons  belonging  to  this  command. 
all  officers  and  soldiers  are  hereby  urged  to  use  every  exertion  to  pre 
vent  the  committal  of  acts  of  lawlessness,  which,  if  permitted  to  pass 
unpunished,    will  bring  discredit  upon  the   command.     Now   that  the 
war  is  virtually  ended,  the  rebellion  put  down,  and  peace  about  to  be 
restored  to  our  entire  country,  let  not  the  lustre  of  the  last  four  years  be 
dimmed  by  a  single  act  of  misconduct  towards  the  persons  or  property 
of  those  with  whom  we  may  be  brought  in  contact.     In  future,  and  par 
ticularly  on  the  march,  the  utmost  care  will  be  exercised  to  save  the 
inhabitants  of  the  country  in  which  we  may  be  located  from  any  molest 
ation   whatever. 

•  •  As  supplies  can  be  obtained  from  the  supply  train  when  needed. 
there  will  be  no  necessity  for  foraging  upon  the  country. 

•  '  No  foraging  parties  will  be  sent  out  from  this  command  without  writ 
ten  permission   from  these  headquarters,  and  then  only  to  obtain  fresh 
beef  and  grain,  for  which  payment  will  be  made  by  the  chiefs  of  the 
proper  departments  at  these  headquarters. 

•  •  Every  violation  of  this  order  will  receive  prompt  and  severe  punish 
ment.     Owing  to  the  delays  of  court  martials,  and  their  impracticability 
when  the  command  is  unsettled,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  any  enlisted 
man  violating  the  above  order,  or  committing  depredations  upon  the 
persons  or  property  of  citizens,  will  have  his  head  shaved,  and  in  addi 
tion  will  receive  twenty-five  lashes  upon  his  back,  well  laid  on.     This 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  4  245 

punishment  will,  in  all  cases,  be  administered  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  command,  who  is  charged  with  the  execu 
tion  of  this  order  so  far  as  it  in  his  power. 

•  •  Any  officer  failing1  to  adopt  proper  steps  to  restrain  his  men  from 
violating-  this  order,  or  who  fails  to  report  to  these  headquarters  the 
names  of  those  violating-  it.  will  be  at  once  arrested  and  his  name  for 
warded  to  the  proper  authority  for  prompt  and  dishonorable  dismissal 
from  the  army.  The  commanding  General  is  well  aware  that  the  num 
ber  of  those  upon  whom  the  enforcement  of  this  order  will  be  necessary 
will  be  small,  and  he  trusts  that  in  no  case  will  it  be  necessary. 

• '  He  is  also  confident  that  those  who  entered  the  service  from  proper 
motives  will  see  the  necessity  for  a  strict  compliance  with  the  require 
ments  of  this  order. 

'  •  Citizens  of  the  surrounding  country  are  earnestly  invited  to  furnish 
these  headquarters  any  information  they  may  acquire  which  will  lead 
to  the  discovery  of  any  parties  violating  the  foregoing  order. 

'  •  Regimental  commanders  will  publish  this  order  to  every  man  in 
their  commands. 

"By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

"(Signed,)  J.  L.  GREENE,  Asst.  Adjt.  General. 

'•Official:     L.  W.  BARNHART,  Asst.  Adjt.  General." 

A  true  copy  :  A.  G.  McQuEEN,  Lt.  Col.  1st  la.  Cav. 

On  the  promulgation  of  this  order  no  little  indignation  was  mani 
fested  by  all  the  troops,  which  would  be  but  natural  among  all  honora 
ble  and  high-minded  men,  who  from  purely  patriotic  motives  responded 
to  the  first  call  for  volunteers  to  defend  and  maintain  the  laws  of  the 
country,  and  endured  the  privations  and  vicissitudes  incidental  to  four 
years'  active  warfare,  to  be  thus  subjected  to  eternal  disgrace,  without 
a  shadow  of  law  or  precedent ;  and  rebel  citizens,  entertaining  the  most 
malignant  bitterness  toward  Federal  soldiers,  "earnestly  invited"  to 
become  their  prosecutors  and  accusers,  without  being  allowed  an  oppor 
tunity  for  defense  ;  and  at  the  same  time  knowing  that  the  numerous 
complaints  mentioned  in  this  preamble  to  be  untrue,  so  far  as  this  com 
mand  was  concerned.  But  this  insult  to  the  dignity  of  every  good  and 
honest  soldier  would  have  been  overlooked  as  a  mere  threat  had  their 
most  natural  and  most  reasonable  wants  have  been  half  supplied  as 
promised  in  said  order,  which  the  sequel  will  show  were  not. 

On  July  12th  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen,  who  was  placed  in  charge 
of  the  embarkation  at  Memphis,  reported  with  the  balance  of  the  com 
mand,  when  the  division  was  organized  as  follows  : 


24:6  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

First  Brigade,  Brigadier  General  Forsyth  commanding — Twelfth  Illi 
nois  Cavalry,  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry,  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry. 

Second  Brigade,  Colonel  William  Thompson  commanding — First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry. 

The  succeeding  history  of  the  regiment  would  be  gladly  passed  over 
with  a  simple  insertion  of  its  changes,  and  bring  this  report,  already 
too  lengthy,  to  a  speedy  close  ;  but  as  the  conduct  of  the  regiments  and 
officers  composing  this  division  has  been  reported  by  Major  General 
Custer  as  being  "  infamous  and  mutinous,"  as  a  justification  for  his  own 
impolitic  course  and  unwarranted  neglect  and  abuse  of  this  command 
the  honor  of  the  State  and  the  honor  of  the  regiment  demand  a  vindi 
cation  of  those  honest,  brave  and  faithful  patriots  who  composed  the 
regiment  from  this  base  slander,  heaped  upon  their  fair  record  by  one 
clothed  with  brief,  misplaced  authority.  The  writer  is  well  aware  that 
in  so  doing  he  may  overstep  the  bounds  of  what  might  be  considered 
strict  military  propriety  and  etiquette,  but  he  will  not,  in  any  event, 
overstep  the  boundary  of  truth.  The  publicity  which  this  difficulty  has 
had  in  our  own  State  and  elsewhere  seems  to  demand  an  explanation. 

After  the  arrival  of  the  command  at  Alexandria,  in  pursuance  to  or 
ders,  estimates  were  promptly  handed  in  for  all  needed  supplies  for  a 
complete  outfit.  Requisitions  were  made  on  the  proper  departments, 
properly  signed  and  approved,  for  the  necessary  clothing,  camp  and 
garrison  equipage,  horses  and  horse  equipments.  The  regiment  here 
turned  over  their  Sharpens  carbines,  and  drew  in  their  stead  new  Spen 
cer  carbines  and  accoutrements.  In  time  they  drew  a  full  supply  of 
horses  but  no  horse  equipments,  and  about  one-tenth  of  the  amount  of 
clothing  for  which  requisition  had  been  made,  and  a  very  few  articles 
of  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  notwithstanding  many  soldiers  were 
almost  naked  and  barefooted. 

On  the  8th  day  of  August,  just  forty -seven  days  after  our  arrival  at 
Alexandria,  this  command  started  for  Texas,  supplied  as  above  stated  in 
some  things,  and  as  will  be  hereafter  mentioned  in  other  matters.  Just 
before  starting,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th.  general  orders  No.  15  was 
promulgated,  as  follows.  Special  attention  is  invited  to  paragraphs 
one,  four,  five,  six,  seven,  ten.  eleven  and  twelve  of  this  order  : 

• '  HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

• '  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF. 

•'August  7th,  1865. 
"GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  15. 

• '  The  command  being  about  to  march  through  a  section  of  country 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  247 

which  has  been  beyond  the  control  of  the  Government  for  four  years, 
and  it  being1  desirable  to  cultivate  the  most  friendly  feelings  with  the  in 
habitants  thereof,  all  belonging-  to  this  command  will  be  required  to  ex 
ercise  the  most  scrupulous  regard  for  the  rights  and  property  of  those 
with  whom  they  may  be  brought  in  contact.  The  following  rules  will 
be  strictly  observed. 

• '  I.  The  command  will  habitually  move  in  columns  of  fours,  omit 
ting  the  usual  interval  between  companies,  squadrons  and  regiments. 

•  •  II.     The  commanding  officer  of  the  brigade  which  moves  in  rear 
will  detail  for  that  day  a  guard  of  one  hundred  (100)  men  to  escort  the 
train.     He  will  also  cause  the  pioneers  of  one  regiment  to  march  at  the 
head  of  the  train,  reporting  to  the  quartermaster  in  charge. 

••III.  One-half  of  the  escort  of  the  train  will  march  in  advance,  the 
other  half  in  rear  of  the  train.  The  officer  commanding  will  regulate 
his  gait  by  that  of  the  train,  and  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  good 
conduct  of  his  men.  He  will  also  arrest  and  bring  to  these  head 
quarters  any  person  belonging  to  the  train  whom  he  detects  violating 
any  paragraph  of  this  order. 

•  •  IV.      Brigade  commanders  will  cause  a  detachment  of  their  provost 
guard,  under  command  of  a  commissioned    officer,  to  march  in  the  im 
mediate  rear  of  their  brigades.      It  will  be  the  duty  of  these  officers  to 
prevent  men  from    falling  out  of  the  ranks  or  leaving  the  columns,    ex 
cept  under  orders. 

-V.  No  enlisted  man  will  be  permitted  to  leave  the  ranks  with  his 
horse,  except  on  duty  or  when  accompanied  by  an  officer.  If  upon 
duty,  he  must  be  furnished  with  written  authority.  A  dispatch  or  re 
ceipt  for  same  will  be  deemed  proper  authority.  If  found  absent  from 
the  column  in  violation  of  this  order,  any  officer  is  authorized  to  seize 
his  horse  and  equipments  and  appropriate  them  for  the  use  of  dis 
mounted  men  of  the  command.  Brigade  commanders  will  instruct 
their  officers  in  command  of  the  detachment  of  provost  guard,  in  rear 
of  their  brigade,  to  be  particularly  zealous  in  carrying  out  the  require 
ments  of  this  paragraph. 

•  •  VI.     If  it  becomes  necessary  for  an  enlisted  man  to  leave  the  ranks 
to  procure  water,  or  attend  to  the  wants  of  nature,  he  will  be  permitted 
to   do  so  dismounted,  leaving  his  horse  to  be  held  by  the  man  on  his 
right,  or  left,  in  the  same  set  of  fours. 

' '  VII.  The  dismounted  men  of  this  command  will  be  organized  into  a 
foot  battalion,  under  command  of  Captain  J.  H.  Elliott,  Seventh  Indiana 
Cavalry.  Brigade  commanders  will  designate,  each,  two  efficient 


248  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

officers  to  take  charge  of  the  dismounted  men  of  their  commands,  and 
will  cause  one  non-commissioned  officer,  mounted  from  each  regiment, 
to  report  to  the  senior  officer. 

' '  The  senior  officer  in  charge  of  the  dismounted  men  of  each  brigade 
will  at  once  report  to  Captain  J.  H.  Elliott  for  instructions.  The  dis 
mounted  men  will  be  required  to  carry  their  carbines,  blankets  and 
haversacks,  and  will  march  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  rear  brigade. 
The  officer  commanding  the  foot  battalion  will  take  possession  of  all 
horses  and  equipments  found  absent  from  the  column  in  violation  of 
paragraph  five  of  this  order,  and  mount  with  men,  taking  from  the 
most  deserving,  in  the  foot  battalion.  The  men  thus  dismounted  will 
be  placed  in  the  foot  battalion.  The  mounted  non-commissioned  officers 
attached  to  the  foot  battalion  will  be  employed  in  arresting  men  found 
absent  from  the  column  without  authority. 

' '  VIII.  Any  enlisted  man  detected  in  any  act  of  lawlessness  will  in 
addition  to  other  punishment  be  deprived  of  his  horse  and  be  required 
to  march  on  foot. 

' '  IX.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  foot  battalion,  when  having  op 
portunity  to  mount  men  of  his  command,  will  select  those  whose  con 
duct  upon  the  march  has  been  most  commendable. 

' '  X.  No  foraging  parties  will  be  permitted.  All  needed  supplies 
can  be  obtained  from  the  supply  train  which  will  accompany  the 
command. 

• '  XI.  Any  officer  sending  an  enlisted  man  from  the  column  without 
furnishing  him  with  the  required  written  authority  will,  in  case  such 
enlisted  man  is  deprived  of  his  horse  thereby,  be  required  to  mount 
him  upon  the  horse  ridden  by  himself.  Such  horse  is  the  property  of  the 
Government. 

' '  XII.  All  led  animals  and  officers'1  servants  will  march  in  rear  of  the 
rear  brigade,  and  in  the  order  of  the  brigade.  An  officer  from  each 
brigade  will  be  placed  in  permanent  charge  of  this  train.  A  non-com 
missioned  officer  from  each  regiment  will  be  detailed  to  take  charge 
of  that  portion  of  the  train  belonging  to  his  own  regiment. 

' '  XIII.  In  procuring  fuel,  no  interference  with  fences  or  prepared 
fencing  material  will  be  allowed. 

' '  XIV.  The  officer  second  in  command  of  each  regiment  will  march 
in  rear  of  his  regiment.  The  officer  second  in  command  of  each 
squadron  will  march  in  rear  of  his  squadron. 

•  •  XV.     The  Provost  Marshal  of  the  division  will  each  day  inspect  the 


*,, 


MAX  KLEIN, 

COMPANY    F. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  249 

column  upon  the  march  and  see   that  paragraphs  five,  twelve  and  four 
teen  are  complied  with. 

'  •  By  command  of  Major  General  Ouster. 

"L.  W.  BARNHART,  Assistant  Adjutant  General" 

All  the  First  Iowa  were  mounted,  but  seventy-five  or  eighty  men 
were  not  provided  with  saddles  or  bridles.  The  dismounted  men,  about 
two  hundred,  all  belonging  to  the  First  Brigade,  were  formed  into  a 
foot  battalion,  and  required  to  carry  their  carbines,  accoutrements, 
with  twenty  rounds  of  ammunition,  blankets  and  haversacks,  with 
three  days1  rations,  and  march  "immediately"  in  rear  of  the  command, 
which  can  be  imagined  to  be  no  easy  task  in  the  month  of  August,  with 
the  hot  rays  of  a  Louisiana  sun  beating  upon  them,  besides  being  almost 
constantly  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  dust,  such  as  three  thousand  cavalry 
would  raise.  Those  who  had  horses  and  were  not  provided  with  sad 
dles  were  required  to  ride  their  horses  bareback,  or  on  such  blankets  as 
they  had  or  could  procure  from  their  comrades,  without  having  any 
means  for  binding  them  on  their  horses.  The  result  was  that  after  a 
few  days  the  horses1  backs  thus  ridden  would  become  scalded,  raw  and 
fly-blown.  On  numerous  occasions  those  faithful  dumb  brutes  were 
turned  loose  by  my  orders  and  abandoned,  with  a  foot  or  more  of  their 
backbones  entirely  exposed,  and  their  living  flesh  being  eaten  up  by 
large  clusters  of  maggots  that  were  embedded  in  the  flesh  and  under 
the  skin,  presenting  a  spectacle  disgusting  in  the  extreme.  It  would 
have  been  an  act  of  mercy  to  have  shot  the  animals,  but  the  regulations 
forbid  such.  The  soldiers  thus  dismounted  were  always  transferred  to 
the  foot  battalion. 

Notwithstanding  Government  transports  were  leaving  Alexandria 
almost  daily  for  New  Orleans,  and  from  thence  to  Galveston,  Texas, 
these  soldiers  were  compelled  to  make  this  trip  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  supplied  as  mentioned,  and  in  the  manner  thus  stated.  The  Chief 
Commissary  of  Subsistence  took  seventeen  days'  rations  of  hard  bread, 
sugar  and  coffee,  two  days1  rations  of  salt  meat,  and  a  limited  quantity 
of  salt ;  no  beans,  rice,  hominy,  vinegar,  soap,  candles,  etc. .  it  is  said 
because  the  Division  Quartermaster  failed  to  furnish  transportation  for 
more,  while  there  were  hundreds  of  wagons  and  mules  being  sold  at 
public  auction  daily,  at  large  sacrifices,  in  New  Orleans.  Vicksburg, 
Memphis,  and  other  points  on  the  Mississippi  river,  as  redundant  prop 
erty,  and  ten  days  would  have  been  ample  time  to  have  brought  them 
and  all  other  supplies  for  which  this  division  was  suffering  to  Alexan 
dria,  instead  of  seven  weeks,  and  then  not  furnished. 
32 


250  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

The  order  governing-  the  march,  with  the  additions  and  supplements 
to  general  orders  No.  15,  were  cruel  and  inhuman — such  as  would  have 
caused  barbarous  nations  in  barbarous  ages  to  blush  for  shame,  together 
with  the  practice  which  they  engendered.  For  an  instance  :  Para 
graphs  five  and  six  of  general  order  No.  15  were  decided  to  mean  that 
neither  officer  nor  soldier  was  permitted  to  leave  the  ranks  mounted 
without  written  permission  from  his  brigade  commander,  who  very 
often  would  be  one  or  two  miles  in  advance,  under  penalty  of  having 
his  horse  and  equipments  taken  from  him.  and  if  a  public  horse  the 
value  of  the  property  thus  taken  should  be  charged  as  a  stoppage 
against  the  individual  on  his  muster  and  pay  roll ;  and  any  officer  send 
ing  a  soldier  out  of  the  ranks,  on  business  or  duty,  without  a  pass  prop 
erly  approved,  if  such  soldier  lost  his  horse,  then  the  horse  ridden  by 
said  officer  was  to  be  taken  and  the  soldier  mounted  thereon —  • '  such 
horse  is  the  property  of  the  Government.1"  There  were  only  eleven 
ambulances  in  the  division.  Part  of  the  time  seven  of  these  were  used 
for  transporting  the  sick  of  the  command.  A  portion  of  the  time  only 
six  were  thus  used,  the  others  being  at  headquarters  for  the  use  of  offi 
cers  and  their  wives.  Thus  many  were  required  to  ride  their  horses 
when  too  sick  to  sit  on  a  horse  without  oscillating  in  the  saddle,  and 
not  unfrequently  the  assistance  of  the  friendly  hand  of  a  comrade  was 
an  absolute  necessity. 

Under  these  circumstances  men  would  frequently  fall  from  their 
horses,  sick,  faint,  and  left  by  the  roadside  insensible,  and  no  friend 
permitted  to  remain  long  enough  to  administer  one  sup  of  the  warm 
water  in  his  canteen — only  by  leaving  his  horse  to  be  led  in  the  column 
and  perform  the  balance  of  that  day's  march  on  foot.  If  the  soldier 
would  fall  off  near  enough  the  head  of  his  regiment  for  an  officer  to 
write  the  word  '  •  sick  "  on  a  card  and  pin  it  on  his  person  before  the 
rear  of  the  regiment  would  pass,  it  was  done  ;  and,  if  seen  by  the  am 
bulance  corps  when  it  would  come  up,  the  soldier  would  be  taken  in, 
provided  they  had  room — which  they  did  not  have  only  by  requiring 
some  one  already  in  to  walk.  How  many  were  thus  left,  prostrated  to 
the  ground  with  fatigue  and  disease,  to  live  or  die  among  people  hostile 
to  Federal  soldiers,  is  not  known  ;  but  that  some  were  there  is  no  doubt. 
By  some  of  the  officers  of  the  First  Iowa  acting  in  defiance  of  these 
orders,  and  by  the  efficiency  and  faithful  vigilance  of  Assistant  Surgeon 
Hervey,  all  the  sick  of  the  regiment  were  brought  through  to  Hemp- 
stead,  but  one  or  two  died  there  in  a  few  days  after  reaching  there  from 
the  effects  of  that  cruel  march.  From  the  manner  the  whole  march 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  251 

was  conducted  a  large  amount  of  sickness  was  inevitable.  Every  morn 
ing  reveille  was  sounded  at  two  o'clock,  and  the  command  moved  at 
four  o'clock,  an  hour  or  more  before  daylight  and  would  encamp  from 
ten  o'clock  A.  M.  to  three  o'clock  p.  M.  After  getting  into  camp  the 
men  were  required  to  graze  their  more  than  half-starved  horses  and 
attend  to  other  duties.  Rations  were  issued  almost  every  day,  but  not 
until  late  at  night,  after  the  arrival  of  the  supply  train,  when  the  men 
should  be  asleep.  It  will  be  remembered  that  only  two  days'  rations 
of  salt  meat  were  brought  from  Alexandria  ;  consequenntly  fresh  beef 
was  issued  every  night,  which  would  be  killed  after  the  arrival  of  the 
supply  train,  and  not  allowed  time  to  cool,  either  before  or  after 
slaughtering.  After  being  driven  behind  the  supply  train  all  day,  and 
furnished  often  at  such  a  late  hour  at  night,  it  was  impossible  to  cook 
it  properly  for  want  of  vessels,  salt,  and  time  to  procure  necessary  rest 
and  sleep,  while  these  evils  could  have  been  remedied  very  easily  by 
having  the  beef  cattle  and  forage  train  move  one  day  in  advance,  there 
being  no  enemy  at  this  time  to  molest  them.  The  attention  of  the  com 
manding  General  was  called  to  these  irregular  practices,  but  without 
effect,  and  the  party  reminded  of  the  impertinence  of  inferiors  address 
ing  august  dignitaries.  The  consequences  were  diarrhoea  and  all  the 
diseases  incidental  to  camp  and  the  season  were  prevalent  to  an  alarm 
ing  extent,  which,  under  paragraph  six,  general  order  No.  15,  and  its 
kindred  supplements,  were  doubly  severe  on  those  who.  from  necessity, 
were  compelled  to  leave  the  column  while  marching. 

Our  horses  have  been  two  days  at  a  time  without  scarcely  an  ear  of 
corn,  with  an  abundance  in  the  country,  but  often  too  inconvenient  for 
the  Division  Quartermaster  to  drive  off  the  road  with  his  two-horse 
carriage  to  procure  it ;  and  when  corn  was  issued  it  was  at  such  a  late 
hour  of  the  night  that  by  the  time  the  horses  were  done  eating  reveille 
would  sound.  Officers  were  thus  compelled  to  purchase  corn  at  their 
own  expense  for  their  private  horses — that,  too,  in  violation  of  para 
graph  ten,  general  order  No.  15,  for  the  violation  of  which  Captain 
Dilley's  negro  servant  boy  had  his  head  shaved,  and  in  addition  thereto 
received  twenty-five  lashes  on  his  bare  back  with  a  mule  whip,  it  is 
said,  in  the  presence  of  and  to  the  great  amusement  of  division  head 
quarters,  for  the  offense  of  pulling  grass  for  the  Captain's  horse  in  a 
field  that  had  not  been  cultivated  for  years. 

The  practice  inaugurated  under  general  order  No.  15  of  capture  and 
reprisal  had  the  most  pernicious  effect  on  the  discipline  and  morals  of 
the  whole  division.  Besides  brigade  provost  guards,  some  regiments  de- 


252  HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

tailed  petty  provost  guards  to  pick  up  any  soldier  who,  from  necessity, 
was  compelled  to  leave  the  column  with  the  hope  of  being  able  to  start 
before  the  rear  of  his  regiment  would  pass,  and  by  this  means  obtain 
property  to  replace  that  which  was  taken  from  his  command  in  a  similar 
manner  ;  and,  strange  to  say,  there  were  officers  of  high  rank  who  were 
so  far  lost  to  all  sense  of  honor,  justice  and  common  courtesy  as  to  pros 
ecute  with  zeal  those  retaliatory  practices  upon  sick  private  soldiers, 
when  opportunity  presented,  in  order  to  gratify  some  petty  pique  they 
may  have  entertained  against  the  soldier's  commanding  officer  or  his 
regiment. 

However,  it  is  gratifying  to  be  able  to  say  that  a  large  majority  of 
officers  deemed  it  beneath  the  dignity  of  officers  and  gentlemen  to  en 
gage  in  this  high-handed  thieving  business,  which  brought  this  division, 
a  few  months  before  the  pride  of  all  who  belonged  to  it,  to  be  as  perfect 
a  pandemonium  as  can  be  imagined,  preferring  to  relieve  their  officers 
who  lost  property  in  this  way  from  responsibility  by  action  of  a  board 
of  survey. 

The  general  expression  and  unanimous  sentiment  of  all  good  and 
well  disposed  persons  were,  "If  this  be  peace  give  us  war."  On  the 
9th  day  of  August,  while  marching,  Brigadier  General  Forsyth.  com 
manding  the  First  Brigade,  ordered  a  forage  on  the  officers1  colored 
servants,  who  were  marching  in  the  rear,  and  compelled  them  to  de 
liver  up  the  officers1  private  saddles  ridden  by  them,  and  in  some 
instances  officers1  body  blankets  in  charge  of  their  servants,  and  private 
horses,  and  had  them  issued  to  his  brigade  ;  and  except  in  a  few  in 
stances  the  property  thus  forcibly  taken  was  never  returned.  At  the 
same  time  there  was  scarcely  an  officer  at  headquarters  who  was  riding 
a  private  horse  or  saddle,  or  had  a  private  servant  hired,  but  detailed 
mounted  soldiers  to  perform  their  menial  duty,  contrary  to  their  will 
and  in  express  violation  of  law. 

The  following  is  the  correspondence  on  this  subject  : 

"HEADQUARTERS    FIRST    IOWA  CAVALRY, 

"CAMP  IN  THE  FIELD,  LOUISIANA.  August  9th,  1865. 
•  •  LIEUTENANT  : — I  have  the  honor  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact 
that,  while  on  the  march  to-day,  Major  McDermott.  Major  Jenks  and  Lieu 
tenant  Dow,  and  other  officers  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  had  their  pri 
vate  saddles,  and  in  some  instances  their  blankets  and  horses,  which 
are  also  private  property,  taken  from  their  servants,  it  is  said,  for  the 
purpose  of  furnishing  the  soldiers  of  the  regiments  who  have  no  saddles. 
The  saddles  that  were  taken  from  the  officers  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  253 

were  not  issued  to  the  men  of  the  regiment,  and  I  have  not  been  able 
to  ascertain  what  disposition  was  made  of  them.  I  will  respectfully  ask 
that  some  protection  might  be  afforded  to  the  private  property  of  offi 
cers  of  the  regiment.  Some  of  the  saddles  taken  were  not  even  of  the 
Government  pattern,  but  purchased  from  citizens  last  evening. 
••Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"A.  G.  MCQUEEN,  Lt.  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 
-To  LIEUT.  H.  L.  MORRILL,  A.  A.  A.  G.  2d  Brigade." 

See  following  indorsement : 

••HEADQUARTERS  2o  BRIG.,  3o  CAV.  Div., 

•'!N  THE  FIELD,  August  9th,  1865. 

••Respectfully  forwarded  to  headquarters  Cavalry  Division  for  con 
sideration — approved. 

• '  I  would   respectfully  request  that  the  unequipped  portion  of  my 
command  be  allowed  to  march  with  their  respective  companies  and 
regiments,  as  their  friends  and  bunkmates  will  gladly  loan  their  saddles 
part  of  the  time  and  divide  the  onerous  task  of  riding  without. 
••  (Signed.)  WM.  THOMPSON, 

"  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cav.,  Comdg.  2d  Brigade." 

"HEADQUARTERS  2D  CAY.  Div.,  August  9th,  1865. 
"Respectfully  returned   to  Colonel  Thompson,  commanding  Second 
Brigade,  to  know  if  the  officers  within  named  were   riding  private  sad 
dles  at  the  time  their  saddles  were  taken  from  their  servants. 
• '  By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

"  (Signed,)  L.  W.  BARNHART,  A.  A.  G." 

"HEADQUARTERS    2D    BRIGADE,    2D    DIVISION, 

"!N  THE  FIELD,  August  9th,  1865. 

"Respectfully  referred  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen,  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  whose  attention  is  invited  to  the  indorsement  from  division 
headquarters. 

•  *  By  order  of  Colonel  Thompson,  commanding  brigade. 

' '  (Signed, )  H.  L.  MORRILL, 

-  Lt.  and  Adjt.  1st  Iowa  Cav.  and  A.  A.  A.  G." 

"HEADQUARTERS  1ST  IOWA  CAVALRY, 

•'CAMP  IN  THE  FIELD,  August  9th,  1865. 

•  •  Respectfully  returned,  with  the  remark  that  to  my  own  personal 
knowledge  the  officers  within  named  have  ridden  none  other  than  pri 
vate  horses   and    private  saddles  during  the  past  four  years1  service. 
Also  to  state  that  Major  McDermott's  horse  and  Lieutenant  Dow's  horse 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

I 

have  been  returned  ;  also  Major  Jenks1  and  Lieutenant  Dow's  saddles, 
but  Major  McDermotfs  saddle  and  Lieutenant  Dow^s  body  blanket  and 
bridle  have  not  been  returned.  Neither  have  the  saddles  and  blankets 
taken  from  the  line  officers  been  returned,  and  no  clue  obtained  as  to 
where  they  have  gone,  further  than  that  they  were  taken  by  Lieutenant 
Long-fellow,  Company  K,  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry,  in  charge  of  the 
provost  guard.  A.  G.  McQuEEN. 

"  (Signed,)  "  Lieut.  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry  Commanding.'1'' 

"  HEADQUARTERS  2D  BRIG.  CAV.  DIVISION. 

-August  10th,  1865. 

' '  Respectfully  referred  to  headquarters  Cavalry  Division,  with  refer 
ence  to  the  report  of  commanding  officer  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  which  is 
true  and  correct.  "WM.  THOMPSON,  Colonel  Comdg.  Brigade.'" 

' '  HEADQUARTERS  2o  CAVALRY  DIVISION. 

"August  30th,  1865. 

4 '  Respectfully  referred  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  First  Brig 
ade,  who  will  cause  those  articles  to  be  returned  immediately. 
' '  By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

"(Signed,)  J.  L.  GREENE,  A.  A.  Gen." 

•  •  HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 

'•HEMPSTEAD,  TEXAS,  August  30th,  1865. 

• '  Respectfully  referred  to  commanding  officer  Seventh  Indiana  Cav 
alry,  who  will  cause  Lieutenant  Longfellow  to  deliver  the  private  prop 
erty  to  the  parties  claiming  it.  or  so  much  thereof  as  has  not  already 
been  turned  over,  if  the  property  claimed  is  within  the  Seventh  Indiana 
Cavalry.  Lieutenant  Longfellow  will  make  full  report  of  what  has  be 
come  of  the  property,  if  taken  by  him.  and  return  these  papers  with 
the  same. 

"By  order  of  Brigadier  General  Shanks. 

"  (Signed,)  J.  Q.  REED,  Capt.  and  A.  A.  G." 

"HEADQUARTERS    SEVENTH    INDIANA  CAVALRY, 

"CAMP  FORSYTH,  TEXAS,  August  31st  1865. 

"  Respectfully  returned  with  the  written  statement  of  Lieutenant 
Longfellow,  which  is  enclosed.  •  The  saddles  were  directed  to  be  seized 
by  myself,  in  pursuance  to  the  order  of  Brigadier  General  Forsyth. 
commanding  First  Brigade.  They  were  directed  to  be  turned  over  to 
Captain  J.  H.  Elliott,  in  charge  of  the  foot  battalion.  It  is  impossible 
for  me  to  know  whether  or  not  any  of  the  articles  are  now  in  my  com 
mand.  (Signed.)  THOS.  M.  BROUN,  Lt.  Col.  Comdg.'1'' 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  255 

'  •  HEADQUARTERS  Co.  K,  ?TH  INDIANA  CAVALRY, 

-CAMP  FORSYTH,  August  31st,  1865. 
-CAPTAIN  J.  Q.  REED,  A.  A.  A.  O.: 

"  Captain — On  the  7th  of  August,  and  while  on  the  march.  1  took, 
by  order  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Broun,  commanding  the  regiment,  quite 
a  number  of  saddles  of  the  Government  pattern  from  colored  servants 
riding  with  the  '  pack  train.  •  I  did  not  then  know  to  what  persons  or  to 
what  regiment  they  belonged.  1  turned  everything  then  captured  over 
to  Captain  Joel  H.  Elliott,  commanding  dismounted  men.  The  saddles 
were  put  on  horses,  and  put  into  the  possession  of  dismounted  men  ; 
but  I  do  not  know  in  what  proportion  or  to  what  regiments  they  were 
issued.  I  have  none  of  them  in  my  possession  or  under  my  control. 

4 '  Yours  very  respectfully, 
•'(Signed,)  JOHN  D.  LONGFELLOW. 

"  Second  Lieut.  Co.  K,  7th  Indiana  Cavalry.'1'1 

"HEADQUARTERS  1ST  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 

"HEMPSTEAD,  TEXAS,  August  31st.  1865. 

• '  Respectfully  returned  ;  attention  invited  to  indorsement  of  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Broun,  and  report  of  Lieutenant  Longfellow. 

' '  (Signed, )      .  JOHN  P.  C.  SHANKS. 

^Brevet  Brigadier  General  Comdg.  Brigade."1"1 

"HEADQUARTERS    2D    DIVISION  CAVALRY, 

"MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF, 

-•September  1st,  1865. 

"  Respectfully  returned  to  Colonel  Thompson,  commanding  Second 
Brigade,  for  his  information. 

' '  By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

"  (Signed.)  JACOB  L.  GREENE,  Major  and  A.  A.  Genl." 

' '  HEADQUARTERS  2o  CAVALRY  BRIGADE, 

"  September  2d,  1865. 

4 '  Respectfully  returned  to  commanding  officer  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
for  his  information. 

• '  By  order  of  Colonel  Thompson,  commanding  brigade. 

"  (Signed,)  H.  L.  MORRILL,  Lieut,  and  A.  A.  O." 

• '  HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY, 

"HEMPSTEAD,  TEXAS,  September  2d,  1865. 

' '  Respectfully  returned,  with  the  remark  in  reference  to  the  report 
of  Lieutenant  Longfellow  that  some  of  the  saddles  taken  were  of  the 
Government  pattern  and  some  were  not.  All  were  private  property, 


'256  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

nevertheless,  as  up  to  July,  1864,  every  officer  and  private  soldier,  with 
few  exceptions,  owned  his  own  horse  and  full  set  of  equipments,  and 
to-day  quite  a  number  of  the  soldiers  are  riding  their  own  equipments, 
which  they  purchased  by  proper  authority,  and  paid  for,  in  preference 
to  running-  the  risk  of  being  so  well  suited  again.  The  blankets  were 
doubtless  '  Government  pattern "  also,  yet  they  were  officers1  privat 
property,  and  for  the  want  of  which  they  have  suffered  great  inconven 
ience,  there  being  none  to  be  had  in  the  Quartermaster's  department  in 
this  division  to  supply  the  place  of  those  forcibly  taken  while  in  posses 
sion  of  their  servants  and  marching  in  the  place  assigned  them  by  the 
division  commander.  A.  G.  McQuEEN. 

"(Signed.)  Li.  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry,  Commanding." 

We  arrived  at  Hempstead,  Texas,  August  26th,  with  our  rations  ex 
hausted  and  many  of  the  soldiers  barefooted,  almost  naked  and  without 
blankets,  and  no  supplies  provided.  We  will  now  see  how  paragraph 
two,  special  order  No.  2,  and  paragraph  two,  general  order  No.  15. 
were  carried  out  on  their  part.  On  the  28th  day  of  August  the  chief 
commissary  procured  from  some  place  and  issued  five  days1  rations  of 
hog  jowls  and  hard  bread.  The  jowls  had  about  one-fifth  of  the  hair 
still  on  them,  and  out  of  which  tusks  were  taken  measuring  seven  and  a 
half  inches  in  length,  and  apparently  three  inches  must  have  been  worn 
off  their  points  by  long  usage, — a  sample  of  which  was  sent  to  and  no 
doubt  can  be  seen  with  the  Historical  Society  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 
The  hard  bread  was  perforated  by  worms,  generations  of  them  having 
taken  wings  and  flown  away,  leaving  numerous  progeny  still  behind. 
Soldiers  who  had  money  purchased  supplies  in  the  country,  in  violation 
of  orders  ;  but  those  who  had  no  money  were  compelled  to  rob  their 
emaciated  horses  of  a  portion  of  their  stinted  supply  of  corn,  and  by 
parching  and  boiling  it  managed  to  appease  hunger  and  sustain  life 
for  a  period  of  fifteen  days, — the  numerous  appeals  of  regimental  com 
manders  for  relief  proving  of  no  avail.  During  this  extreme  destitution 
and  intense  suffering  a  party  of  soldiers  of  the  Seventh  Indiana  and 
Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry  regiments  were  arrested  for  killing  a  beef  run 
ning  on  the  prairie,  and  had  their  heads  shaved,  and  in  addition  re 
ceived  twenty-five  lashes  on  their  bare  backs,  without  trial  or  any  op 
portunity  for  self-defense,  at  a  time,  too,  when  the  command  was  settled. 
At  the  time  these  arrests  were  made,  some  fresh  beef  was  found  in  one 
of  the  wagon  trains,  and  Horace  C.  Cure,  Company  M,  First  Iowa  Cav 
alry,  a  brave,  honest  and  faithful  veteran  soldier,  was  arrested  on  sus 
picion  of  knowing  who  brought  this  beef  into  the  train,  and  because  he 


Capt,  THOMAS  H,  BARNES 


COMPANY    K. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

would  not  or  could  not  tell  who  the  party  was,  had  his  head  shaved  and 
received  twenty-five  lashes  on  the  bare  back,  without  trial  or  any  op 
portunity  for  self-defense,  when  it  could  be  proven  that  he  had  nothing 
to  do  in  bringing  it  there,  and  it  is  not  yet  known  that  he  knew  who 
the  party  was. 

Had  a  repetition  of  this  barbarous  and  inhuman  punishment  been 
attempted  on  the  person  of  a  First  Iowa  soldier  in  direct  violation  of 
law.  or  precedent,  the  consequences  would  have  been  lamentable  in  the 
extreme.  On  arriving  at  Hempstead  it  was  ordered  that  all  mail  mat 
ter  should  be  forwarded  through  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  division, 
and  it  is  here  worthy  of  note  that  as  yet  the  writer  has  not  known  of 
a  single  communication  of  his  to  his  friends,  or  relatives,  at  home  or 
elsewhere,  during  a  period  of  two  months,  sent  through  that  channel, 
that  has  ever  reached  its  destination.  A  statement  of  our  grievances 
having  reached  Washington,  through  irregular  channels  of  official  com 
munication,  a  report  was  called  for  by  the  authorities,  to  show  cause 
for  this  "cruel  and  inhuman  treatment."1  The  commanding  General 
in  one  wholesale  charge  denounced  the  character  of  his  entire  command, 
especially  regimental  commanders,  as  infamous  and  mutinous ;  and 
what  is  remarkable,  makes  use  of  the  following  expression  in  the  same 
report  containing  the  denunciation  referred  to  above,  dated  Hemp- 
stead,  October  26th,  1865,  to  wit :  ••  I  am  happy  to  say  that  to-day  no 
better  behaved  regiments  are  included  in  the  volunteer  force  than  those 
now  composing  my  command/' 

During  the  latter  part  of  September,  a  few  weeks  previous  to  the 
date  of  said  report,  the  First  Iowa  was  inspected  by  Colonel  Vollum, 
Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  and  Medical  Director  Department  of  Texas,  and  by 
Major  Harrison,  U.  S.  A..  Special  Inspector  of  Cavalry,  and  immedi 
ately  after  the  inspection  was  completed  the  writer  asked  those  officers 
if  they  had  any  suggestions  to  make  in  the  way  of  improvement.  Col 
onel  Vollum  replied  in  these  words,  in  the  presence  of  quite  a  number 
of  officers  of  the  division,  to  wit :  --No,  Colonel — you  have  the  best 
regiment  on  the  ground  or  in  the  department1' — Major  Harrison  assent 
ing  to  the  remark.  But  as  special  orders  No.  2  was  promulgated  before 
the  First  Iowa  was  under  General  Cluster's  command  twelve  hours,  and 
before  he  knew  anything  about  the  regiment,  it  might  be  well  to  refer 
to  the  following  reports  as  to  the  previous  character  of  the  regiment, 
in  contrast  to  the  sweeping  charges  of  Major  General  Custer  above  re 
ferred  to.  The  reports  of  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General  Lieuten 
ant  S.  M.  Lake,  Captain  E.  J.  Myers.  Captain  R.  M.  Reynolds  and 

33 


258  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Lieutenant  Hitt.  for  the  months  of  March,  April,  May  and  June.  1865, 
at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  The  writer,  being  on  duty  at  headquarters  in 
Memphis  in  the  month  of  June,  knows  from  personal  knowledge  that 
those  officers  mention  the  regiment  in  the  most  satisfactory,  and  even 
very  complimentary  terms  in  their  reports.  Also  Captain  C.  S.  Bow 
man.  U.  S.  A.,  Special  Inspector  of  Cavalry,  in  his  report  of  an  inspec 
tion  made  at  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  about  four  weeks  after  reporting 
to  General  Custer,  mentions  the  First  Iowa  as  being  •  -  the  finest  regi 
ment  and  the  best  officered  in  the  volunteer  service."  Additional  evi 
dence  can  be  produced  to  establish  the  gross  injustice  of  those  charges 
made  against  a  body  of  men  who  sacrificed  nearly  everything  they  pos 
sessed  to  defend  law  and  order,  by  one  clothed  with  temporary  power, 
as  a  justification  for  violating  law  and  the  common  instincts  of  human 
ity.  But  this  will  suffice. 

While  encamped  at  Hempstead  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  drilling 
"exclusively  in  the  school  of  the  platoon,"  dismounted  in  the  forenoon 
and  mounted  in  the  afternoon,  and  endeavoring  to  obey  a  series  of  vo 
luminous,  threatening  and  conflicting  orders,  general  and  special,  and 
individual  instructions,  with  as  little  prospect  of  success  as  to  attempt 
making  a  rope  of  the  sand  on  the  Sahara  desert. 

A  copy  of  general  order  No.  19  is  enclosed,  the  absurdity  of  which 
will  be  apparent  : 

"HEADQUARTERS  2l>  DlV.   CAV.,   MlL.   DlV.    OF  THE  GlTLF, 

••September  9th.  1865. 
"  GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  19. 

••Until  further  orders  mounted  drill  in  the  forenoon  will  be  discon 
tinued.  Dismounted  drill  will  be  substituted  therefor.  The  horses  of 
the  command  will  be  taken  out  to  graze  at  seven  A.  M.  Recall  from 
grazing  will  be  sounded  at  ten  A.  M.  Grazing  will  be  conducted  as  fol 
lows  :  The  grazing  details  from  each  regiment  will  invariably  be  under 
charge  of  a  field  officer.  One  officer  from  each  squadron  must  be  sent 
in  charge  of  the  horses  and  men  from  each  squadron.  One  man  to 
every  four  horses  will  be  detailed  to  conduct  the  horses  to  and  from  the 
grazing  ground  and  to  take  charge  of  them  while  grazing.  All  other 
officers  and  enlisted  men  '  for  duty1  and  subject  to  drill  will  be  exercised 
at  dismounted  drill.  The  number  of  men  on  drill  must  at  least  be 
three  times  that  of  those  detailed  to  attend  to  grazing.  Regimental 
commanders,  by  employing  convalescents  and  servants  upon  grazing 
detail,  can  increase  the  number  of  men  on  drill.  Hereafter  brigade 
commanders  will  forward  to  these  headquarters  by  eleven  A.  M.  each 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  259 

day  a  report  for  the  preceding-  day,  showing  the  number  of  officers  and 
men  from  each  regiment  employed  on  grazing  detail,  and  the  number  of 
officers  and  men  from  each  regiment  engaged  in  dismounted  drill.  In 
case  the  above  reports  are  not  received  in  these  headquarters  at  the 
hour  specified,  the  brigade  commander  from  whom  the  report  is  due 
will  be  required  to  make  an  immediate  report  in  person. 
• '  By  command  of  Major  General  Ouster. 

•  •  (Signed, )  JACOB  L.  GREENE, 

Major  and  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
"Official:     H.  L.  MOKRILL,  Lieut,  and  A.  A.  A.  G." 

The  absurdity  of  this  order  is  apparent,  for  after  deducting  the 
number  of  men  on  dismounted  duty,  and  the  sick  in  hospital  and  in 
quarters,  the  regiment  lacked  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  men  of  hav 
ing  enough  to  leave  three  times  as  many  men  drilling  as  were  grazing 
horses.  It  was  then  peremptorily  ordered  that  officers'  colored  servants 
and  convalescents  in  quarters  be  employed  to  graze  horses  in  order  that 
the  terms  of  the  order  might  be  carried  out.  for  the  non-compliance  of 
which  orders  all  were  denounced  as  "infamous  and  mutinous.11  By 
the  interference  of  the  War  Department  at  Washington  all  obnoxious 
orders  were  rescinded. 

On  October  29th  the  division  marched  for  Austin,  the  Capital  of  the 
State,  where  it  arrived  on  the  4th  day  of  November.  Here  comfortable 
cantonments  were  erected  for  the  men,  and  the  regiment  permitted  to 
behave  in  a  soldierly  manner  without  molestation  from  division  head 
quarters,  and  regimental  and  company  commanders  permitted  to  exer 
cise  the  functions  of  their  respective  positions  in  discipline  and  man 
aging  the  internal  affairs  of  this  command. 

It  is  here  worthy  of  remark  that,  during  this  period  of  confusion  and 
misrule,  not  a  single  man  of  the  First  Iowa,  except  Horace  C.  Cure,  was 
arrested  by  any  guards  for  any  offense  but  of  the  most  trivial  nature, 
and  not  in  a  single  instance  was  any  brought  before  a  court  martial. 
The  writer  feels  it  but  simple  justice  to  acknowledge  his  grateful  thanks 
to  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  for  their  universal  good  behavior  and 
manly  deportment  during  a  period  of  so  much  aggravation  and  needless 
suffering.  The  thanks  of  the  whole  regiment  are  especially  due  to  Sur 
geon  C.  H.  Lothrop,  for  the  special  and  unfailing  interest  taken  in  the 
welfare  of  the  sick  of  the  regiment,  in  providing  medicine  from  irreg 
ular  sources  to  supply  the  deficiency  caused  by  the  criminal  neglect  of 
those  whose  duty  it  was  to  provide  a  supply. 

The  headquarters  of  the  regiment  remained  at  Austin  during  the  re- 


260  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

mainder  of  their  term  of  service.  But  detachments  were  stationed  for 
a  few  weeks  at  a  time  at  different  county  seats  from  the  borders  of  the 
Indian  Nation  to  the  southern  portion  of  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of 
preserving  order  and  assisting-  the  civil -officers  in  enforcing  civil  law, 
during  the  session  of  their  courts,  which  could  only  be  done  by  the 
presence  of  Federal  soldiers. 

By  order  of  the  War  Department.  Major  General  Custer  and  all  his 
staff  officers  were  discharged  the  service  of  the  United  States,  on  Feb 
ruary  1st.  1866,  and  left  Austin  some  time  during  the  night  of  the  5th 
Our  ex-commanding  General  disclaimed  being  the  originator  of  the 
cruel  treatment  of  this  division  of  veteran  troops,  the  truth  of  which 
no  person  seemed  to  doubt,  but  which  only  demonstrates  the  fact  that 
all  weak  men  will  depend  upon  another  for  support,  whether  superior 
or  inferior  in  position. 

On  the  15th  day  of  February  the  First  Iowa  were  ordered  to  be  mus 
tered  out  of  service,  and  left  on  the  19th  inst.  for  Davenport,  where 
they  arrived  on  the  13th  day  of  March,  where  in  three  days  after  arriv 
ing  the  entire  regiment  were  discharged,  paid  off,  and  dispersed  for 
their  homes  to  resume  their  peaceful  avocations,  after  an  absence  of 
nearly  live  years1  active  campaigning  in  the  service  of  their  country. 

Lieutenant  Henry  L.  Morrill,  regimental  Adjutant,  is  particularly 
deserving  of  honorable  mention  for  his  long  and  efficient  services  as  an 
officer  and  soldier,  and  especially  for  the  valuable  aid  in  superintending 
the  making  out  the  final  muster  out  papers  of  the  regiment. 

On  account  of  not  having  the  regimental  records  at  hand,  many 
deeds  of  individual  heroism  which  might  with  propriety  be  mentioned 
are  omitted  in  this  history.  The  number  and  the  names  of  those  be 
longing  to  the  regiment  who  died  and  were  killed  in  battle  have  already 
been  reported  to  your  office,  and  I  will  trust  to  the  pen  of  the  future 
historian  to  speak  so  that  their  immolation  will  not  be  forgotten. 
Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant. 

A.  G.  MCQUEEN. 

Late  Li.  Col.  Comdg.  1st  Iowa  C&v.  Vet.  Vol.. 

and  Brt.  Col.  U.  8.   V. 

[Accompanying  the  above  report  is  the  following  correspondence, 
&c.— A.  G.) 

"HEADQUARTERS    SECOND  CAVALRY    DIVISION. 

"  September  4th,  1865. 

• '  All  men  detailed  as  guards  with  ordnance  train  will  have  their 
horses  with  them. 

"By  command  of  (Signed)  L.  W.  BAKNHAKT." 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  261 

•  •  I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  a  true  and  correct  copy  of  the 
order  sent  me  from  headquarters  Second  Cavalry  Division. 

••  (Signed,)  ALBERT  U.  MCCORMICK, 

*•  Capt.  Co.  H,  First  Iowa  Cavalry."1' 

••HEADQUARTERS  2D  CAV.  Div.,  M.  D.  G., 

'•HEMPSTEAD,  TEXAS,  September  7th,  1865. 
•  •  COLONEL  WM.  THOMPSON,  Commanding  Second  Brigade  : 

••  Colonel — The  Major  General  commanding-  directs  me  to  say  to  you 
that  all  the  guards  with  the  ordnance  train  will  have  their  horses  with 
them,  as  they  can  be  taken  care  of  better  than  with  their  regiments. 
The  detail  for  the  First  Iowa  called  for  their  horses  this  morning-,  but 
the  Captain  (Captain  McCormick)  refuses  to  give  the  horses  up  on  the 
Major  General  commanding-  the  division's  order,  as  I  know  of  no 
authority  less  than  General  Sheridan.  I  refer  the  matter  to  you  that 
this  officer  may  be  properly  instructed  in  his  simplest  duties,  and  that 
the  horses  might  be  forthcoming  immediately. 

••  (Signed,)  L.  W.  BARNHART,  Major  and  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen." 

'•HEADQUARTERS  2o  BRIGADE, 

"HEMPSTEAD,  September  4th,  1865. 

••  Respectfully  referred  to  commanding  officer  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 
•  •  By  order  of  Colonel  Thompson. 

"  (Signed,)  H.  L.  MORRILL,  Lieut,  and  A.  A.  Gen." 

••HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY, 

••HEMPSTEAD.  September  4th,  1865. 

•  •  Respectfully  referred   to   Captain   A.  U.  McCormick   for  his  infor 
mation.  A.  G.  MCQUEEN, 

•4  Li.  Col.  Comdg.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 

"  HEADQUARTERS  Co.  H,  IST  IOWA  CAVALRY, 

"HEMPSTEAD,  September  4th,  1865. 

•  •  Respectfully  returned,  with  the  remark  that  on  the  2d  inst.  I  re 
ceived  an  order  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen  to  detail  one  corpo 
ral  and  three  men,  '  to  report  dismounted, 1  which  I  supposed  was  for 
temporary  duty.     This  morning  one  of  the  men  hand*ed  me  a  piece  of 
paper  with  some  writing  on  it,  (a  true  copy  of  which  I  herewith  attach, ) 
on  which  he  demanded  the    horses  belonging  to  the  detail.     As  I  had 
no   documentary  evidence  that  it  was  proper  for  me  to  turn  the  horses 
over,  I   refused  the   demand.     I   have  always   endeavored  to  obey  all 
orders  from  my  superior  officers,  communicated  to  me  in  a  proper  man 
ner  ;    but  I  did  not  consider  the  within  paper  sufficient  voucher  for  me 


262  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

to  deliver  United  States  property  for  which  I  am  responsible,  as  I  have 
never  been  informed  that  *  L.  W.  Barnhart '  was  the  Major  General 
commanding  this  division.  A.  U.  McCoRMiCK, 

"(Signed,)  Captain  Co.  H,  1st  Iowa  Cavalry." 

• '  HEADQUARTERS  IST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

"HEMPSTEAD,  TEXAS,  September  4th,  1865. 

• '  Respectfully  returned,  and  special  attention  invited  to  the  remarks 
of  Captain  McCormick,  which  are  true,  as  the  paper  referred  to  was 
shown  to  me,  and  I  advised  Captain  McCormick  not  to  deliver  the  hor 
ses  on  that  document,  believing  it  to  be  a  forgery  on  the  part  of  some 
person  ignorant  in  military  correspondence. 

"A.  G.  MCQUEEN, 
••  Lt.  Col.  1st  Iowa  Cav.  Corndg/1 

[I  publish  the  following  statement  of  General  Custer,  not  as  a  matter 
of  history,  but  in  order  that  the  facts  submitted  by  Lieutenant  Colonel 
McQueen  may  \>e  fully  understood.  The  time  occupied  in  printing  this 
report  has  enabled  me  to  publish  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen's  valua 
ble  statement  of  facts,  which  follows  that  of  General  Custer  ;  also  Gen 
eral  Forsyth's  endorsement,  and  Surgeon  Lothrop's  contradiction  there 
of,  although  the  three  documents  that  follow  General  Custer1  s  statement 
were  not  furnished  until  late  in  January.  1867. — A.  G.~] 

GENERAL  CUSTER' S  STATEMENT. 

HEADQUARTERS  2D  DIVISION  CAVALRY, 
MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  GULF,  October  26th,  1865. 
MAJOR  GEORGE  LEE,  A.  A.  G.  Mil.  Div.  of  the  Gulf: 

Major — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  in  regard  to 
the  case  of  Horace  Cure,  a  private  in  Company  M,  First  Iowa  Cavalry, 
referred  to  in  a  telegram  from  his  Excellency,  Governor  Stone,  of  Iowa, 
to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

I  would  respectfully  call  your  attention  to  a  report  forwarded  by  me 
a  few  days  ago  in  a  response  to  a  communication  from  his  Excellency, 
the  Governor  of  Wisconsin.  In  that  report  I  referred  to  the  condition 
of  the  troops  of  the  command  as  regards  subordination  and  discipline, 
intending  to  show  thereby  that  something  beyond  the  ordinary  course 
of  procedure  was  absolutely  necessary  if  I  desired  to  insure  order  and 
good  conduct  in  my  command.  Without  repeating  what  I  then  stated. 
I  will  add  that  all  of  my  former  report  applies  equally  well  to  the  case 
referred  to. 

Under  instructions  from  the  Major  General  commanding  this  military 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  263 

division,  I  proceeded  in  June  last  to  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  to  assume 
command  of  the  following  named  regiments,  viz  :  First  Iowa  Cavalry, 
Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  Fourth  and  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and 
Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry.  These  regiments  had,  prior  to  this  time, 
been  serving  in  Tennessee  and  other  States  farther  north.  A  portion 
of  them  had  preceded  me  to  Alexandria,  the  others  following  soon  after 
my  arrival  there.  The  conduct  of  these  troops  while  at  Alexandria  was 
infamous,  and  rendered  them  a  terror  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  locality, 
and  a  disgrace  to  this  or  any  other  service.  Highway  robbery  was  of 
frequent  occurrence  each  day.  Farmers  bringing  cotton  or  other  pro 
duce  to  town  were  permitted  to  sell  it  and  then  robbed  in  open  daylight 
upon  the  streets  of  the  town — this,  too,  in  the  presence  or  view  of  other 
soldiers  than  those  perpetrating  these  acts. 

No  citizen  was  safe  in  his  own  home,  either  during  the  day  or  night. 
Bands  of  soldiers  were  constantly  prowling  about  the  surrounding 
country  for  a  distance  of  twenty  or  thirty  miles,  robbing  the  inhabitants 
indiscriminately  of  whatever  they  chose,  and  not  unfrequently  these 
squads  of  soldiers  who  were  so  absent  from  camp,  not  only  in  violation 
of  orders  but  of  articles  of  war,  were  accompanied  by  officers.  Upon 
two  occasions,  that  I  now  remember,  parties  such  as  I  refer  to  were  led 
by  officers  belonging  to  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  ;  one  of  the  parties  be 
ing  under  the  charge  of  the  Adjutant  of  the  regiment,  and  were  tres 
passing  on  the  premises  of  a  citizen  nine  miles  from  camp.  The  latter 
remonstrated  against  it ;  the  Adjutant  seized  a  revolver  belonging  to  a 
negro  who  accompanied  the  soldiers  and  threatened  to  blow  the  citizen^ 
brains  out  if  he  dared  to  oppose  them. 

Such  instances  were  of  almost  daily  occurrence.  Had  this  misbe 
havior  been  only  chargeable  to  the  enlisted  men  I  could  have  corrected 
it  by  calling  in  the  assistance  of  the  officers,  but  unfortunately  the  offi 
cers  were  the  responsible  parties.  When  not  engaged  with  enlisted 
men  in  committing  unlawful  acts,  they  sanctioned  such  conduct  when 
brought  to  their  notice,  and  never  to  my  knowledge  did  an  officer  of  the 
command  take  a  single  step  toward  suppressing  the  disorder  complained 
of,  unless  when  acting  under  special  instructions  to  do  so.  This  may 
appear  incredible,  but  is  accounted  for  as  follows :  I  found,  upon 
assuming  command  of  the  above  named  regiments,  that  a  feeling 
amounting  almost  to  mutiny  existed  throughout  the  command,  occa 
sioned  by  their  determined  opposition  to  remain  longer  in  the  service, 
and  particularly  was  this  opposition  heightened  by  an  impression  that 
they  were  to  be  required  to  go  to  Mexico,  a  measure  that  they  would 


264  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

not  consent  to  under  any  circumstances.  They  claimed  that  they  had 
enlisted  for  the  present  war,  that  the  war  was  over,  and  that  they  were 
entitled  to  their  discharge  from  service.  This  was  the  universal  feeling 
among-  officers  as  well  as  men.  Many  openly  stated  their  intention  not 
to  accompany  the  command  on  its  proposed  march  to  Texas,  and  large 
numbers  of  men  did  desert  for  this  reason  alone.  It  was  also  openly 
stated  that  if  the  Government  determined  to  hold  them  in  service,  they 
would  by  their  conduct  compel  their  discharge.  Actuated  by  these 
motives,  in  addition  to  the  natural  viciousness  which  is  ever  found 
among  unrestrained  soldiery,  the  disposition  and  conduct  of  these 
troops,  as  manifested  daily,  was  such  as  to  excite  the  deepest  anxiety. 

I  first  appealed  to  the  regimental  commanders  ;  referred  them  to 
such  cases  as  were  brought  to  my  notice — cases  in  which  the  perpetra 
tors  of  wrong  were  members  of  the  regiment  of  which  the  officer  ad-* 
dressed  was  the  commander — urged  them  to  correct  the  evils  com 
plained  of  and  prevent  their  recurrence  in  future.  In  one  instance  I 
remember,  I  instructed  one  of  the  regimental  commanders  to  the  effect, 
if  the  complaints  against  his  regiment,  of  thieving,  etc..  all  of  which 
were  well  founded,  did  not  cease.  I  would  relieve  him  and  place  an  offi 
cer  in  command  who  could  and  would  control  it. 

In  no  instance  did  my  efforts  in  this  direction  succeed.  The  sympa 
thies  of  the  officers  were  so  strongly  in  favor  of  the  men  that  my  ap 
peals  were  fruitless.  Officers  would  offer  in  extenuation  such  arguments 
as  the  following  :  • '  The  boys  think  they  ought  to  be  allowed  to  go 
home,  and  if  not  allowed  to  go  home  they  ought  to  have  a  little  liberty." 
Meaning  by  "liberty11  unrestrained  permission  to  go  where  they  pleased 
and  rob  whoever  came  in  their  way.  Such  at  least  was  the  practical 
exercise  of  this  v>  liberty.1'  I  was  powerless  so  far  as  I  relied  upon  the 
regimental  officers  for  co-operation  to  secure  discipline,  obedience,  and 
proper  regard  for  the  rights  of  others.  Under  other  circumstances  I 
could  have  summoned  a  court  martial  for  the  trial  of  offenses  such  as  I 
have  named,  but  this  would  have  been  a  mere  mockery,  and  would  have 
defeated  the  very  aim  it  was  intended  to  promote.  I  was  located  sev 
eral  hundred  miles  away  from  my  next  superior  officer,  with  no  means 
of  immediate  communication.  Before  instructions  could  have  been 
asked  for  and  received,  it  was  expected  that  the  expedition  I  was  to 
command  would  move,  and  I  then  would  be  entirely  cut  off  from  com 
munication  with  any  other  command  until  I  had  completed  a  march  of 
hundreds  of  miles,  and  reached  a  new  base  in  a  different  department. 
My  instructions  from  the  commanding  General  were  to  treat  the  inhab- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  265 

itants  of  the  country  with  whom  I  was  brought  in  contact  with  kind 
ness  and  conciliation— to  permit  no  foraging,  to  pay  for  all  supplies 
of  beef  or  grain  which  it  became  necessary  to  take,  to  issue  stringent 
orders  which  should  prevent  depredations  or  outrages  being  committed 
upon  citizens  by  troops  of  my  command.  Under  these  circumstances, 
as  I  have  related  them  above,  actuated  by  the  single  desire  to  do  my 
duty,  carry  out  strictly  the  instructions  of  my  commanding  officer,  and 
to  prevent  and  remove  the  disgrace  which  was  daily  attaching  itself  to 
the  troops  of  my  command,  I  issued  the  order  referred  to  by  his  Excel 
lency,  Governor  Stone — stating  as  a  reason  for  so  doing  that  a  court 
martial  would  be  impracticable  while  the  command  was  on  the  march 
or  in  an  unsettled  state.  The  order  was  intended  as  only  temporary, 
and  to  express  my  view  of  the  punishment,  a  general  court  martial  sit 
ting  in  my  command,  of  which  Lieutena.nt  Colonel  McQueen.  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  was  president,  in  the  case  of  an  enlisted  man  found  guilty  of  a 
very  serious  offense,  sentenced  him,  among  other  punishments,  --to  re 
ceive  twenty -five  lashes  well  laid  on,1'  I  returned  the  proceedings  for 
revision,  with  the  endorsement,  '  •  that  while  there  might  be  extreme 
cases  in  which  a  court  martial  would  be  impracticable,  and  in  which  I 
would  favor  the  administering  of  such  punishment.  I  did  not  deem  it 
proper  or  legal  for  a  court  martial  to  prescribe  it.  when  other  modes 
were  available  and  proper."" 

The  order  referred  to  by  his  Excellency,  Governor  Stone,  has  been 
rescinded  in  obedience  to  your  direction.  Practically,  however,  it  has 
been  without  effect  for  a  considerable  period  prior  to  the  receipt  of  your 
order. 

In  regard  to  the  case  of  Private  Horace  C.  Cure.  Company  M,  First 
Iowa  Cavalry.  I  would  state  that  at  a  time  when  the  commissary  de 
partment  was  furnishing  the  troops  of  this  command  with  a  full  supply 
of  the  best  beef,  private  Cure,  in  company  with  a  Mexican,  stole  a  val 
uable  beef  from  Dr.  Peebles,  Collector  of  the  port  of  Galveston,  drove 
it  to  the  vicinity  of  camp,  killed  it.  and  taking'  a  small  portion  for  their 
own  use.  left  the  remainder  on  the  ground.  This  was  an  offense  which 
was  being  committed  daily.  No  shadow  of  reason  existed  for  such  con 
duct,  for,  whatever  deficiencies  existed  in  the  commissary  department, 
the  supply  of  beef  was  always  ample  and  of  the  best  quality.  Nothing 
but  a  desire  to  commit  a  wanton  outrage  could  have  prompted  it.  The 
usual  excuse  that  the  owners  were  rebels  would  not  be  true  in  this  case. 
The  owner  was  Dr.  Peebles,  who.  according  to  my  opinion,  is  a  man 
whose  sacrifice  and  personal  suffering  in  defense  of  the  Government  and 

34 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

the  Union  have  been  greater  than  those  of  any  other  individual  either 
North  or  South.  The  punishment  was  inflicted  both  upon  private  Cure 
and  upon  the  Mexican,  and  had  its  intended  effect,  as  no  outrage  of  a 
similar  character  has  been  committed  since. 

I  will  add  in  conclusion,  that  I  have  been  in  almost  continuous  com 
mand  of  troops  since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  frequently  in  much 
larger  numbers  than  at  present,  and  I  never  found  it  necessary  or  de 
sirable  to  issue  suph  orders  as  I  have  referred  to,  simply  because  I  have 
never  been  in  command  of  troops  whose  conduct,  both  as  regards  offi 
cers  and  men,  so  nearly  resembled  that  of  a  mob  as  was  the  conduct  of 
these  troops  when  I  assumed  command  of  them.  I  am  happy  to  say 
that  to-day  no  better  behaved  regiments  are  included  in  the  volunteer 
force  than  those  now  composing  my  command. 

As  Brigadier  General  J.  W.  Forsyth.  United  States  Volunteers,  was 
the  only  general  officer  besides  myself  connected  with  the  command 
during  the  period  referred  to  above,  and  he  being  fully  acquainted  with 
all  the  facts  stated  herein.  I  respectfully  request  that  this  paper  may  be 
referred  to  him  for  such  remarks  as  he  may  make,  verifying  or  refuting 
the  statements  I  have  made. 

(Signed.)  G.  A.  CUSTER,  Major  General. 

LT.  COL.  McQUEEN\S  REPLY  TO  GEN.  CUSTER'S  STATEMENT. 

KEOKUK.  IOWA,  January  25th,  1867. 
GENERAL  N.  B.  BAKER.  Adjutant  General  of  Iowa : 

General — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  statement  in  an 
swer  to  the  report  made  by  Major  General  G.  A.  Custer  to  headquarters 
Military  Division  of  the  Gulf,  dated  headquarters  Second  Division  Cav 
alry.  Military  Division  of  the  Gulf,  (Hempstead,  Texas, )  October  26th, 
1865,  in  relation  to  the  case  of  private  Horace  C.  Cure,  Company  M, 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  a  copy  of  which  was  forwarded  to  me  by  Senator 
S.  J.  Kirkwood.  through  your  office,  for  my  answer. 

This  report  having  been  made  officially  by  an  officer  of  high  rank  in 
the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  attaches  more  importance  to 
it  than  it  otherwise  would  have,  and  demands  a  more  detailed  state 
ment  from  me  on  that  account,  especially  as  its  author  deems  it  neces 
sary  for  him  to  review  his  whole  administration  in  connection  with  his 
command,  and  indulge  in  wholesale  denunciations  against  the  conduct 
and  character  of  his  division,  which  he  is  pleased  to  term  •  •  infamous 
and  mutinous."  The  reputation  of  the  regiment  with  which  I  was  con 
nected,  as  well  as  the  honor  of  the  State,  compels  me  to  make  a  defense 
against  this  unjust  attack.  Although  I  am  no  longer  an  officer  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

employ  of  the  military  department  of  the  Government,  my  statement 
will  be  made  with  the  same  strict  regard  for  truth  and  my  own  honor 
as  though  I  was  still  in  the  military  service,  as  I  hold  myself  responsible 
for  whatever  appears  in  this  answer. 

Being  ordered  to  remain  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and  superintend 
the  embarkation  of  all  the  troops  of  this  division  on  transports  bound 
for  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  I  cannot  say  from  personal  knowledge  what 
transpired  at  the  latter  place  after  the  advance  of  the  troops  arrived, 
until  the  12th  day  of  July,  1865.  on  which  day  I  arrived  with  the  last 
of  the  division.  On  the  13th  day  of  July  I  assumed  command  of  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  continued  on  that  duty  until  the  muster  out  of 
the  regiment  in  March.  1866.  However,  the  regimental  reports  show 
that  the  advance  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  arrived  at  Alexandria  and 
reported  to  General  Custer  on  the  evening  before  special  orders  No.  2 
were  promulgated — which  is  known  as  the  ••  whipping  order" — so  that 
the  depredations  complained  of  could  not  have  been  committed  by  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  if  committed  at  all — which  is  a  question  of  doubt 
in  my  mind,  except  an  isolated  case. 

On  arrival  of  a  portion  of  the  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry  at  Alexan 
dria,  several  days  after  special  orders  No.  2  were  issued.  Sergeant  L. 
L.  Lancaster,  of  said  regiment,  did  incite  a  mutiny  against  Lieutenant 
Colonel  N.  H.  Dale,  his  superior  officer,  for  reasons  that  transpired 
months  before,  for  which  Colonel  Dale  was  tried  by  court  martial,  at 
Memphis.  Tennessee — a  matter  that  had  no  reference  whatever  to  the 
troops  being  retained  in  the  service  or  their  g'oing  to  Mexico.  This  was 
the  only  instance  of  mutiny  that  came  to  my  knowledge  while,  connected 
with  this  command. 

On  the  1.7th  day  of  July  a  general  court  martial  was  convened  at 
Alexandria,  of  which  I  was  president,  as  General  Custer  states,  and  be 
fore  which  all  officers  and  men  were  tried  that  were  tried.  I  under 
stand  the  oath  contained  in  the  69th  Article  of  War  to  be  binding 
without  limit,  so  far  as  disclosing  the  opinion  of  any  member  of  a  court 
martial,  which  debars  me  from  mentioning  what  transpired  in  said 
court.  But  it  will  certainly  appear  very  singular  to  any  reflecting 
mind  how  General  Custer  can  charge  this  court  with  entertaining  sym 
pathies  so  strong  in  common  with  the  enlisted  men  charged  with  the 
grossest  crimes  as  to  render  their  actions  ll  mere  mockery/'  and  defeat 
ing  the  very  aim  it  was  intended  to  promote,  when  he  admits  in  his  re 
port  tha  the  sentences  passed  by  said  court,  composed  of  officers  of  his 
command,  he  deemed  too  severe  and  requested  their  mitigation.  This 


26S  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

court  continued  in  session  at  Alexandria  until  the  4th  or  5th  of  August, 
and  tried  ten  or  twelve  cases,  and  as  it  was  on  the  eve  of  adjourning-  to 
meet  at  Hempstead,  Texas,  after  the  then  contemplated  march  was  com 
pleted.  General  Custer  sent  a  message  to  this  court,  which  he  deemed 
a  few  weeks  afterward  a  "mockery,"  thanking  them  in  the  most  ear 
nest  and  complimentary  terms  for  their  diligence  and  satisfactory  dis 
charge  of  their  duties  as  a  court.  On  our  arrival  at  Hempstead,  Texas, 
owing  to  some  of  the  members  being  absent,  a  new  court  was  organized 
and  every  member  of  the  late  court  present  was  re-detailed.  This 
court  continued  in  session  at  Hempstead  and  Austin  until  the  Second 
Wisconsin  Cavalry  officers  were  ordered  away,  at  which  time  a  new 
court  was  organized  and  all  the  remaining  officers  retained,  I  being  re 
tained  still  as  president.  This  court  remained  convened  until  the  case 
of  Lieutenant  C.  O.  Kauffman,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  came  before  it, 
charged  as  follows,  viz  : 

"CHARGE — Conduct  unbecoming  an  officer  and  gentleman. 

"SPECIFICATION — In  this,  that  Lieutenant  C.  C.  Kauffman,  Company 
E.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  did  appear  in  the  presence  of  the  Major  General 
commanding,  and  a  party  of  ladies,  in  a  state  of  gross  intoxication. 
This  at  or  near  Hempstead.  Texas,  October  27th.  1865." 

These  charges  were  drawn  up  by  Major  J.  L.  Greene.  Assistant  Ad 
jutant  General  on  Ouster's  staff  and  judge  advocate  for  the  court.  To 
these  charges  Lieutenant  Kauffman  declined  to  plead  for  want  of  speci 
fication.  The  case  being  referred  to  the  court,  it  was  decided  that  the 
judge  advocate  should  revise  the  charges  and  state  more  specifically 
what  the  accused  had  done  to  render  his  conduct  unbecoming  an  officer 
and  gentleman,  and  the  court  adjourned  until  next  day. 

I  had  not  been  in  my  quarters  but  a  short  time  when  1  received  an 
order  disbanding  the  court,  and  another  convening  another,  leaving  off 
&  majority  of  the  member*  of  the  former  court,  I  among  the  number. 
Whether  the  court  erred  in  this  decision  I  am  willing  any  man  of  ordi 
nary  intelligence  should  judge.  This  incident  did  not  occur  for  several 
weeks  after  General  Custer' s  report  was  made. 

The  charge  that  the  officers,  without  exception,  sanctioned  the  thiev 
ing  and  robbing  of  which  Ouster  complains,  is  too  base  and  absurd  to 
receive  much  notice,  being  willing  to  let  my  character  both  in  the  army 
and  citizen  life  speak  for  itself,  as  well  as  for  the  balance  of  the  officers 
of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  But  will  simply  say  that  General  Custer 
never  made  any  appeal  or  sent  any  complaint  to  me.  or  to  any  other  offi 
cer  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  about  the 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  -  269 

regiment  being  unrestrained,  or  even  lax  in  discipline  in  any  way. 
Neither  had  I  any  intimation  but  that  its  conduct  was  entirely  satisfac 
tory,  until  I  received  a  synopsis  of  Ouster's  report  a  few  days  after  it 
was  written,  and  even  that  through  unofficial  sources.  Whatever  of 
this  charge  may  be  true  of  other  regiments,  it  does  not  apply  to  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry.  While  in  Alexandria  the  regiment  was  encamped 
about  three  miles  from  the  village,  where  General  Ouster's  headquar 
ters  were  located,  and  over  two  miles  from  any  other  troops,  and  I  do 
not  remember  of  a  single  complaint  being  made  to  me,  as  regimental 
commander,  or  to  any  other  person,  of  any  depredations  being  commit 
ted  on  either  the  person  or  property  of  any  citizen,  notwithstanding 
the  people  residing  in  the  surrounding  country  brought  produce  into 
camp  daily  for  sale. 

There  were  three  planters  residing  within  twenty  rods  of  our  camp, 
and  many  others  not  far  distant,  and  in  all  my  conversation  with  those 
planters,  not  one  of  them  ever  expressed  any  fears  as  to  the  safety  of 
their  persons  or  property,  either  by  day  or  night. 

General  Ouster  calls  to  mind  two  instances  where  parties  were  led 
by  officers  of  the  First  Iowa  Oavalry  through  the  country  on  plunder 
ing  expeditions,  and  one  of  these  parties  under  charge  of  the  Adjutant 
of  the  regiment,  and  while  trespassing  on  the  premises  of  a  citizen  nine 
miles  from  camp,  etc. 

The  Adjutant  (Henry  L.  M on-ill)  had  my  permission  to  go  into 
the  country  to  purchase  some  peaches,  which  I  was  empowered  to 
grant,  and  took  with  him  four  or  five  of  the  enlisted  men  on  duty  at 
regimental  headquarters.  While  out  they  came  near  the  premises  of 
one  Walter  Graham,  a  wealthy  citizen,  a  graduate  of  the  Military  Acad 
emy  at  West  Point,  and  lately  an  officer  in  the  Confederate  army,  who. 
in  company  with  his  son,  armed  with  a  gun,  made  an  attack  on  two  sol 
diers  who  crossed  the  bayou  and  got  into  an  uncultivated  enclosure, 
threatening  to  shoot  them,  etc.  The  Adjutant,  from  the  opposite  side 
of  the  bayou,  told  them  that  those  soldiers  were  under  his  charge,  at 
which  Graham  used  very  abusive  language,  and  leveling  a  pistol  at  the 
Adjutant  threatened  to  shoot  him,  etc.  A  colored  servant  with  the 
party,  being  the  only  person  of  the  number  that  was  armed,  gave  the 
Adjutant  a  revolver,  when  he  ordered  Graham  to  drop  his  pistol  • '  or 
he  would  blow  his  brains  out.'1  This  order  Graham  obeyed,  and  the 
Adjutant  crossed  the  bayou,  arrested  Graham,  and  was  taking  him  to 
Ouster's  headquarters.  Graham  complaining  of  sickness,  was  permit 
ted  to  remain  at  the  first  house,  with  the  promise  that  he  should  report 


270-  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

at  five  o'clock  that  evening-.  The  Adjutant  proceeded  direct  and  re 
ported  to  General  Ouster,  who  gave  him  an  order  to  me  to  send  an  offi 
cer  and  a  detail  of  soldiers  to  bring  Graham  to  his  headquarters  imme 
diately,  which  was  done,  and  while  Graham  was  at  my  headquarters 
admitted  the  facts  as  above  stated  to  be  correct,  justifying  himself  upon 
the  ground  that  no  man  had  any  right  on  his  grounds.  By  General  Ous 
ter's  request  the  Adjutant  made  a  statement  in  writing  and  sent  it  with 
the  sworn  statements  of  the  enlisted  men  to  his  headquarters.  1  never 
heard  anything-  more  about  the  case  until  I  saw  the  perversion  of  facts 
in  General  Cluster's  report.  It  is  not  very  probable  that  a  party  of  sol 
diers  would  go  into  the  country  on  a  plundering  expedition  wholly  un 
armed,  and  when  a  citizen  would  remonstrate  with  them  be  the  first  to 
repoi't  the  facts  to  the  highest  authority. 

As  to  the  other  party  mentioned,  I  never  heard  of  it,  and  do  not  be 
lieve  that  ever  any  such  party  was  out  from  the  First  Iowa  Oavalry.  or 
I  as  regimental  commander  would  have  known  of  it.  I  have  known 
Adjutant  Morrill  for  the  last  six  years,  having  served  under  me  as  a 
private  soldier  and  non-commissioned  officer  in  Company  A,  and  I  can 
say  that  nothing  can  be  more  inconsistent  with  the  disposition  and 
character  of  this  officer  than  this  charge  of  General  Ouster,  as  he  has 
always  shown  himself  to  be  a  high-toned  gentleman,  both  as  an  officer 
und  soldier,  and  at  this  time  no  citizen  in  the  community  in  which  he 
resides  is  more  honored  and  respected  than  he  is. 

I  admit  that  some  dissatisfaction  did  exist  in  the  First  Iowa  Oavalry 
about  being  retained  in  the  service  after  serving  over  four  years.  But 
I  do  most  emphatically  deny  that  it  developed  itself  in  the  manner 
(feneral  Ouster  charges,  or  to  any  extent  to  cause  alarm.  I  cannot 
speak  advisedly  as  to  other  regiments,  but  such  was  not  my  impression 
at  the  time. 

The  next  night  after  special  orders  No.  2  were  promulgated  fourteen 
of  the  First  Iowa  Oavalry  did  desert  the  service,  on  account  of  said 
order  not  allowing  them  opportunity  of  defense  in  case  of  accusation, 
and  being  too  sensitive  about  the  disgrace  to  which  they  were  subjected. 
Four  others,  who  were  on  detached  duty,  deserted  while  on  the  march 
from  Alexandria,  on  account  of  their  horses  being  taken  from  them 
without  just  cause,  and  they  required  to  march  on  foot,  which  are  all 
that  deserted  from  the  First  Iowa.  In  this  connection  I  would  refer 
you  to  my  report  made  to  your  office  last  July,  and  desire  to  make  it 
a  part  of  this  answer.  (See  ante. — A.  Q.) 

Again  :     General  Ouster  states  that  he  was  located  hundreds  of  miles 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  271 

from  his  next  superior  officer,  without  means  of  immediate  communi 
cation,  etc.  During-  a  period  of  forty-seven  days  this  command  re 
mained  at  Alexandria,  both  private  and  Government  transports  leaving 
daily,  and  it  only  required  forty-eight  hours  to  make  the  trip  to  New 
Orleans  and  back,  and  officers  passed  backward  and  forward  fre 
quently.  So  much  for  this  statement. 

In  regard  to  the  case  of  private  Horace  Cure,  Company  M,  First 
Iowa  Cavalry,  General  Custer  makes  a  very  singular  misstatement  of 
facts.  Private  Cure  was  not  charged  with  killing  the  beef  spoken  of, 
but  because  he  would  not  tell  who  brought  some  fresh  beef  into  the 
camp  of  a  wagon  train  of  which  he  was  a  teamster,  he  had  his  head 
shaved  and  received  twenty-five  lashes  on  the  back.  Seven  men  of  the 
Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  live  men  of  the  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry, 
received  similar  treatment  a  few  days  before  Cure  was  punished,  for 
killing  said  beef  of  Dr.  Peebles.  Whether  private  Cure  knew  who 
brought  the  beef  there  I  am  unable  to  state,  as  he  was  not  allowed  a 
trial  or  any  opportunity  for  defense. 

The  First  Iowa  Cavalry  protested  against  this  barbarous  and  inhu 
man  punishment,  in  a  mild  and  respectful  manner,  but  not  receiving 
satisfaction  were  compelled  to  call  on  the  State  authorities  to  intercede 
in  our  behalf,  which  is  the  cause  of  the  regiment  being  singled  out  by 
the  author  of  this  slanderous  report  to  justify  his  own  unwise  and  ille 
gal  conduct. 

The  full  rations  of  fresh  beef  were  generally  issued  at  this  time,  but 
not  any  more  than  the  legal  ration  of  beef,  while  all  other  rations  were 
damaged  and  unfit  for  use,  especially  the  hard  bread,  which  was  full  of 
worms  and  bugs.  I  have  seen  the  soldiers  at  this  time  compelled  to 
rob  their  horses  of  part  of  their  rations  of  corn  and  spend  a  greater 
portion  of  the  night  in  boiling  and  parching  it  to  get  enough  to  appease 
their  hunger.  Enlisted  men  whom  I  knew  well  in  citizen  life  came  to 
me  imploring  for  relief,  saying  they  were  actually  becoming  weak  and 
emaciated  from  starvation,  >  -  and  would  be  glad  to  eat  what  their  fath 
ers  fed  to  their  dogs.1"  This  was  not  said  to  me  in  a  captious  spirit  of 
mutiny,  but  imploring  for  relief,  which  I  was  unable  to  render. 

Being  somewhat  incensed  at  the  outrages  perpetrated  upon  the  en 
listed  men.  1  wrote  a  letter  to  General  Custer,  a  copy  of  which  can  be 
seen  on  the  regimental  letter  book,  stating  plainly  but  candidly  our 
condition — which  I  had  done  on  two  occasions  before,  in  my  report  as 
Field  Officer  of  the  Day.  This  letter  bears  date  four  or  five  days  prior 
to  the  killing  of  Dr.  Peebles1  beeves  by  the  Twelfth  Illinois  and  Seventh 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Indiana.  (See  my  report  of  July  last  on  the  subject  of  rations  at  this 
time. ) 

In  the  language  of  General  Custer.  •  - 1  have  been  in  command  of 
troops  almost  continuously  since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  fre 
quently  in  much  larger  numbers  than  at  present."  I  have  also  filled 
positions  on  the  staffs  of  general  officers,  from  Assistant  Adjutant  Gen 
eral  to  Chief  of  Staff,  in  cases  of  temporary  necessity,  and  acted  as  Sen 
ior  Assistant  Inspector  General  of  Cavalry  for  the  Military  Division  of 
West  Mississippi  for  eight  months,  and  I  can  say  that  I  never  saw 
troops  so  badly  managed  and  provided  for,  both  in  regard  to  outfit  and 
rations,  as  this  division  of  cavalry  was  while  it  remained  under  the 
command  of  General  Custer.  or  such  a  lack  of  common  sense  in  orders 
and  in  the  exercise  of  discipline,  as  was  displayed  by  its  commander. 
I  do  not  make  the  above  assertion  in  passion,  or  unaware  of  what 
might  be  the  consequences,  as  I  am  prepared  to  prove  what  is  here  set 
forth.  For  fear  that  it  may  be  charged  against  me  that  I  make  asser 
tions  without  cause,  I  beg  permission  to  say,  in  addition  to  what  is  said 
in  my  report  of  last  July,  that  regimental  commanders  were  not  per 
mitted  to  exercise  their  own  judgment  in  disciplining  their  regiments. 
For  instance  :  A  few  days  after  the  division  arrived  at  Hempstead, 
some  enlisted  men  who  were  acting  as  hostlers  for  General  Custer  made 
up  a  horse  race  between  General  Custer1  s  horse  ••  Jack  Rucker1'  and  a 
United  States  horse  in  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Horse  racing  being  a 
practice  I  never  permitted,  either  as  a  company  or  regimental  com 
mander.  I  endeavored  to  stop  this  race,  and  would  have  done  so  but  for 
an  order  issued  by  General  Custer  allowing  it  to  come  off.  and  at  the 
same  time  granting  permission  to  all  soldiers  to  attend  the  race,  so  that 
it  was  only  by  request  that  soldiers  could  be  had  to  remain  and  guard 
the  camp. 

General  Custer  himself  always  appeared  on  the  race  track  as  chief 
manager,  and  generally  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  a  private  soldier  or 
citizen  acting  (pardon  the  expression)  the  "  bohoy"  among  the  boys  ;  and 
Captain  James  D.  Earl.  Chief  Commissary  of  Subsistence  on  General 
Caster" s  staff,  rode  Custer" s  horse,  while  a  private  soldier  of  the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry  rode  the  other — an  act  which,  if  an  officer  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry  had  been  guilty  of.  would  have  relieved  him  of  his  sword  im 
mediately  at  any  time  previous  to  joining  General  Ouster's  command  ; 
and.  in  one  instance.  I  saw  General  Custer  ride  his  horse  through  him 
self.  In  another  instance  General  Custer  got  up  a  race  between  these 
two  horses  himself — and  to  my  own  discredit  let  it  be  said  that,  by  re- 


Sergt,  H,  S,  WDDDWARD 

COMPANY     B. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  273 

quest  of  General  Ouster,  I  held  the  stakes,  two  thousand  dollars,  know 
ing-  that  a  large  portion  of  this  money  belonged  to  the  enlisted  men  of 
the  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

Again  :  There  were  over  three  hundred  men  of  the  First  Iowa  Cav 
alry  detailed  on  duty  at  Ouster's  headquarters,  and  to  my  own  personal 
knowledge  I  knew  of  a  number  of  these  men  to  be  used  as  officers'  ser 
vants,  and  as  follows,  viz:  ••  Nick "  Morris.  Company  L,  A.  Osborn 
and  James  Calder,  Company  A.  attending-  to  General  Ouster's  race 
horses,  and  g-etting-  up  races  with  soldiers  and  citizens  :  Sergeant  For 
tune  and  Corporal  James.  Company  A.  keeping-  a  lag-er  beer  saloon  in 
a  Dutch  bakery  in  the  city  of  Austin  ;  --Johnny"  Clark,  Company  C, 
keeping  a  whisky  saloon  in  Austin — who  furnished  him  the  money  1 
know  not,  but  it  is  certain  he  did  not  have  enough  of  his  own  :  Corporal 
Morris  Granger.  Company  K,  M.  Klein,  Company  F.  and  three  others, 
playing  the  violin  at  parties,  etc.  These  soldiers  generally  dressed  in 
citizens'  dress.  When  I  would  reprove  them  for  such  conduct,  they 
would  show  me  a  copy  of  General  Ouster's  order  detailing  them  as  ••  or 
derlies  "  at  division  headquarters,  etc.  There  were  others  on  similar 
duty,  but  their  names  are  forgotten.  When  General  Ouster  was  about 
leaving  Austin,  after  being  mustered  out  of  the  service,  he  gave  some 
of  these  soldier  saloon  keepers,  etc..  furloughs  to  remain  in  the  city 
of  Austin  for  sixty  days,  dating  the  furloughs  back  to  the  last  day  he 
was  an  officer,  so  that  I  could  not  order  them  back  to  the  regiment  im 
mediately.  Before  some  of  them  would  even  report  back  I  was  com 
pelled  to  detail  a  guard  and  bring  by  force  they  supposing  their  fur 
loughs  were  valid. 

I  have  also  seen  some  of  these  enlisted  men,  by  cunning  speech  and 
preconcerted  plan,  get  up  and  run  jockey  races  with  General  Ouster's 
horses  with  negroes,  and  General  Ousters  father  and  Major  Thomas 
Ouster,  the  General's  brother  and  Aid-de-Camp.  on  the  track  managing 
the  races.  There  were  race  tracks  on  all  sides  of  our  camp,  both  at 
Hempstead  and  Austin,  and  almost  every  day  one  or  more  of  General 
Ouster's  horses  would  be  on  some  of  them,  and  if  the  General  was  not 
along  himself,  some  of  his  staff  officers  would  be  and  assume  the  su 
pervision.  Let  me  here  state  that  these  staff  officers  were  not  chosen 
from  the  regiments  of  this  division. 

General  Ouster  closes  his  report  by  requesting  that  •  -  it  might  be 
sent  to  Brigadier  General  J.  W.  Forsyth  for  such  remarks  as  he  may 
make,  verifying  or  refuting  the  statements  he  has  made,"  which  request 
was  complied  with.  A  copy  of  these  remarks  I  received  through  un- 

35 


274  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

official  sources,  and  the  only  answer  I  have  to  make  to  it  is,  that  it  is 
too  silly  to  merit  notice. 

He  says  that  he  could  not  get  the  men  to  wear  pants,  etc.  I  will  say 
why  :  Because  they  did  not  have  them,  notwithstanding-  monthly  esti 
mates  were  handed  in  promptly  and  regularly,  but  never  in  any  instance 
filled.  Quite  a  number  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  had  their  pants  worn 
off,  from  the  knee  down,  and  in  many  instances  almost  entirely  bootless 
and  shirtless.  I  remember  of  giving  in  one  instance  the  only  extra  pair 
of  pants  I  had  to  a  soldier  to  cover  his  nakedness,  and  when  we  got  a 
scanty  supply  of  clothing  it  was  through  the  generosity  of  Colonel  8.  D. 
Sturgis.  Sixth  United  States  Cavalry,  who  arrived  at  Austin  with  six 
months'  supply  for  his  own  regiment. 

Much  more  might  be  said,  but  this  is  sufficient  to  show  how  affairs 
stood  in  the  division  ;  also  to  show  how  inconsistent  General  Cluster's 
report  is  with  absolute  facts. 

My  apology  for  making  this  lengthy  statement  is  to  show  that  this 
officer,  who  indulges  so  freely  in  classifying  the  officers  and  men  com 
posing  this  division,  without  exception,  as  ••  thieves,"  ••robbers."  and 
a  -mob.1'  is  unworthy  of  credit,  and  has  dishonored  the  high  position 
to  which  he  was  elevated,  by  perverting  facts,  to  excuse  himself  in  his 
unwise  conduct,  over  his  own  signature. 

Notwithstanding  General  Custer's  defamatory  report,  I  am  warranted 
in  saying  that  not  a  single  man  that  ever  was  connected  with  the  organ 
ization  but  who  is  to-day  proud  to  point  to  its  stainless  record  of  over- 
four  and  a  half  years'  service,  and  saying  that  h.e  belonged  to  the  First 
Iowa  Cavalry.  I  invite  the  testimony  of  any  officer  of  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  -to  verify  or  refute  the  statements  I  have  here  made/'  Also 
that  of  Colonel  N.  H.  Dale,  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry.  General  J.  P.  C. 
Shanks,  late  Colonel  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry,  now  member  elect  of 
the  Fortieth  ( 'ongress  of  the  United  States  from  the  State  of  Indiana. 
Colonel  H.  B.  Dox.  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  or  any  other  officer  or 
soldier  conversant  with  the  history  of  this  division  while  it  was  under 
the  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

My  post  office  address  is  Keokuk,  Lee  county.  Iowa,  where  I  have 
established  myself  in  business,  and  hold  myself  prepared  to  prove  any 
assertion  made  in  this  answer. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  very  respectfully. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

A.  G.  MCQUEEN, 

Late  I  A.  Col.  1st   Iowa  Cavalry. 

and  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  T.  »S.  V. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  275 

[I  also  here  insert  General  Forsyth's  endorsement,  so  that  Surgeon 
Lothrop's  statement  can  be  well  understood. — A.  G.~\ 

GENERAL  FORSYTH'S  ENDORSEMENT. 

INSPECTOR  GENERAL'S  DEPARTMENT, 
HEADQUARTERS  MIL.  Div.  OF  THE  GULF, 

NEW  ORLEANS.  LA..  November  28th,  1865. 

Respectfully  returned.  I  commanded  a  brigade  of  cavalry  under 
Major  General  Custer,  joining-  him  at  Alexandria  about  the  12th  of  July 
last.  1  fully  concur  in  all  that  General  Custer  says  as  to  the  discipline 
of  the  command. 

Robbery,  plundering-  and  murdering-  was  of  daily  occurrence,  and 
nearly  the  entire  division  was  in  open  mutiny. 

In  one  regiment,  the  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  the  men.  advised 
by  their  officers,  did  attempt  to  drive  off  their  commanding-  officer, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Dale.  They  ordered  him  to  take  a  boat  then  at  the 
levee  and  leave  the  command,  and  that  they  would  give  him  a  certain 
time  to  do  it  in.  They  also  stated  they  intended  to  send  Custer  off  also. 
and  if  he  did  not  go  quietly  they  would  make  him  go  or  throw  him  in 
the  river.  The  commissioned  officers  as  a  general  thing  had  no  control 
over  the  men  ;  in  fact  they  (the  enlisted  men)  did  about  what  they 
pleased.  It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  they  could  be  made  to 
wear  any  clothing.  When  I  joined,  large  numbers  of  the  men  were 
riding  horses  about  the  country,  and  to  water,  with  nothing  on  their 
persons  but  a  pair  of  drawers  arid  an  undershirt,  and  a  chip  or  straw 
hat.  In  this  disgusting  way  they  rode  through  the  streets  of  Alexan 
dria.  A  lady  could  not  appear  on  the  streets. 

They  deserted,  stealing  the  best  horses  from  the  command,  and 
formed  guerrilla  bands,  plundering,  stealing  and  murdering  through  to 
the  Mississippi. 

The  condition  of  affairs  was  at  one  time  so  bad.  and  the  men  so  open 
in  their  mutinous  spirit,  that  a  number  of  enlisted  men  got  frightened 
on  account  of  the  threats  made  in  several  regiments  to  take  the  life  of 
General  Custer.  and  they  came  at  night  and  posted  themselves  as  a 
guard  for  his  protection,  at  his  (General  Custer's)  private  headquarters, 
without  his  knowledge.  This  occurred  when  the  command  first  arrived 
at  Alexandria.  I  had  to  send  a  guard  of  picked  men  from  my  brigade 
to  the  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry  and  kept  it  from  deserting  en  masse. 
These  deserters,  when  they  reached  home,  were  mustered  out.  paid, 
etc. .  etc. .  and  wrote  back  to  their  comrades  that  Government  had  no 
right  to  keep  them,  and  that  if  the  regiment  was  not  mustered  out  they 


276  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ought  to  desert.     The  Provost  Marshal  of  the  State,  the  Governor,  and 
every  one  wrote  to  the  same  effect  to  these  men. 

With  reference  to  General  Ouster's  order  whilst  1  was  with  the  com 
mand.  I  have  simply  to  say  that  he  made  a  great  mistake.  Instead  of 
whipping  he  should  have  shot. 

The  people  at  home,  who  have  written  to  and  received  these  thieves 
and  deserters  with  open  arms,  are  the  only  persons  to  blame  for  all  this 
trouble,  which  has  not  only  reflected  on  their  State  but  the  whole  vol 
unteer  army. 

Whilst  en  route  for  Texas.  I  dismounted  a  Lieutenant  belonging  to 
the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  for  straggling,  in  compliance  with  General  Cus- 
ter's  orders,  and  made  him  walk  five  miles.  The  commanding  officer  of 
the  other  brigade.  Colonel  Thompson,  said  openly  in  the  presence  of 
his  command  that  -he  could  not  control  his  brigade,"  and  that  he 
thought  or  expected  there  would  be  a  fight  between  his  brigade  and 
mine.  Colonel  Thompson  is  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment  that  Governor 
Stone  asks  to  be  mustered  out. 

I  had  in  my  brigade  a  number  of  fine  officers,  whom  it  is  impossible 
to  name,  and  who  did  their  duty  from  first  to  last. 

(Signed.)  JAMES  W.  FORSYTH, 

Brigadier  General  and  Asst.  Inspector  General. 

AFFIDAVITS  ACCOMPANYING  ABOVE. 

STATE  OF  IOWA.  ) 

>  .s.s. 

CLINTON  COUNTY.     *> 

I.  Charles  H.  Lothrop.  late  Surgeon  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  do.  upon 
oath,  state  that  the  foregoing  report  of  Brigadier  General  James  W. 
Forsyth.  above  named,  is  a  true  copy  of  a  true  copy  of  said  original 
report.  CHARLES  H.  LOTHROP. 

The  foregoing  affidavit  was  signed  by  said  Lothrop  in  my  presence, 
and  by  him  sworn  to  before  me.  the  undersigned,  a  notary  public  in 
and  for  said  county,  this  81st  day  of  January.  A.  1).  1867. 

[  L.  S.]        Witness  my  hand  and  notarial  seal  by  me  hereto  affixed, 
(o  ct.  K.  stamp.)  ROBERT  T.  T.  SPENCE. 

(       H' '[; '';*•.„    )  Notary  Pub li<: 

(  Jan.  81.  18H7.  ) 

STATE  OF  IOWA.  / 
CLINTON  COUNTY.      ^ 

I.  Charles  Henry  Lothrop.  late  Surgeon  First  Regiment  Iowa  Cav 
alry,  do  upon  oath  state  that  many  of  the  statements  in  said  report,  of 
which  the  foregoing  is  a  copy,  are  false  to  my  personal  knowledge. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  277 

The  statement  made  in  relation  to  the  straggling-  of  a  Lieutenant  of  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry  I  believe  to  be  false.  Captain  Hosford,  of  Company 
G,  informed  me  that  he  ordered  his  Lieutenant  back  to  the  ambulances 
to  ascertain  if  a  sick  man  who  had  been  left  alone  beside  the  road,  in 
accordance  with  General  Custer'  s  inhuman  order,  had  been  taken  in  by 
the  ambulance  corps.  Having-  attended  to  that  duty,  he  was  quietly 
making-  his  way  (in  the  road)  to  his  regiment  again,  when  he  was  dis 
mounted  and  ordered  to  walk  five  miles. 

The  statement  in  relation  to  Colonel  Thompson  1  believe  to  be  false. 
Colonel  Thompson  made  no  such  statement,  if  the  different  members  of 
his  staff  can  be  relied  upon  for  truth  and  veracity. 

CHARLES   H.  LOTHROP. 

The  foregoing  affidavit  was  signed  by  said  Lothrop  in  my  presence, 
and  by  him  sworn  to  before  me,  the  undersigned.  Notary  Public  in  and 
for  said  Clinton  county,  this  31st  day  of  Jaunary,  A.  D.  1867. 

[L.  S.]          Witness  my  hand  and  notarial  seal  by  me  affixed. 
(o  ct.  R.  Stamp,)  ROBERT  T.  T.  SPENCE, 

Notary 


CUSTER'S  CRUELTY. 

(Special  to  the   Chicago   Times.) 

CEDAR  RAPIDS,  IOWA.  February  3d.  1886. 

••We  were  in  Northern  Alabama  at  the  close  of  the  war  when  orders 
were  received  calling  troops  north  for  discharge.'1  said  ex-Marshal 
Francis,  of  this  city.  ••  When  we  reached  Memphis  the  boys  were  in 
good  spirits.  We  had  drawn  little  pay.  and  upon  discharge  each  pri 
vate  was  to  receive  about  $500.  including  bounty  money.  Through  the 
long,  weary  marches  and  the  many  trials  of  soldier  life,  strong  friend 
ships  had  formed,  and  now  that  the  war  was  ended,  and  we  were  to 
separate  in  a  few  days,  never  again  to  meet  as  a  military  body,  never 
again  to  live  over  those  experiences  which  had  made  us  a  band  of 
brothers,  the  future  of  each  seemed  the  concern  of  all.  and  plan-making 
was  mutual.  We  were  all  heartily  glad  the  end  of  the  bloody  contest 
had  come,  yet  loth  to  separate. 

•  •  Shortly  after  our  arrival  at  Memphis,  an  order  was  issued  creating 
three  divisions  of  cavalry,  nine  regiments  each,  for  the  southwest  cam 
paign.  under-  Generals  Custer.  Torbert  and  Merritt.  Our  regiment. 
with  eight  others,  rendezvoused  at  Alexandria.  Louisiana,  under  Gen 
eral  Custer.  We  had  gone  through  the  war,  had  camped  in  Missouri 
with  a  foot  of  snow  on  the  ground,  had  lain  down  in  the  mud  in  Arkan- 


278  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

sas  at  night-time  to  find  ourselves  frozen  to  the  earth  next  morning1 : 
we  had  wrestled  with  vermin  in  Southern  trenches,  and  doubled  up  on 
the  discomforts  of  cold  and  the  pangs  of  hunger  ;  but  until  after  the 
war  had  ceased  and  we  entered  Glister's  division,  the  real  hardships  of 
camp  life  had  never  stared  us  in  the  face.  Despite  the  fact  that  to  de 
sert  was  to  forfeit  one's  pay  and  honorable  discharge,  numbers  of  the 
boys,,  rather  than  submit  to  the  rigors  of  camp  life  in  Alexandria,  left 
under  cover  of  darkness  on  their  lonely  journey  northward.  When  a 
deserter  was  captured  he  was  tied  to  his  coffin  and  shot,  although  the 
army  regulations  forbade  this  punishment  in  time  of  peace.  While  we 
were  lying  at  Alexandria  without  pay.  an  orderly  sergeant  of  the  Sec 
ond  Wisconsin  drew  up  a  petition  asking  the  Colonel  of  that  regiment 
to  resign,  that  the  Lieutenant  Colonel  might  be  promoted  before  being 
mustered  out  of  service.  The  orderly  was  called  up  before  Ouster's 
court  and  tried  on  charge  of  mutiny,  convicted,  and  sentenced  to  be 
executed  along  with  three  deserters.  The  four1  men  were  blindfolded, 
placed  upon  their  coffins,  and  the  firing  squad  drawn  up,  when  Ouster 
held  consultation  with  Captain  Moore,  one  of  his  staff,  who  walked  to 
the  coffin  of  the  orderly,  untied  the  cords,  and  led  the  prisoner  out  of 
range.  General  Ouster  had  been  notified  by  the  Second  Wisconsin 
Regiment  that  in  case  of  the  execution  of  the  orderly  himself  and  staff 
would  be  slaughtered,  and  had  the  sentence  been  carried  out  Gen 
eral  Ouster  would  never  have  lived  to  torture  his  command  as  he  did 
on  the  march  to  the  Rio  Grande.  The  mutinous  orderly  was  sentenced 
to  the  Dry  Tortugas  for  life,  but  released  at  New  Orleans  on  order  of 
the  President. 

•  •  When  about  to  begin  the  march  westward  from  Alexandria,  sol 
diers  were  ordered  to  report  in  ranks  with  coats  buttoned,  and  to  carry 
carbine,  revolver,  seventy  rounds  of  cartridges,  and  saber.  The  tem 
perature  was  about  120  degrees,  and  there  wasn't  a  rebel  in  the  land. 
When  the  division  reached  a  narrow  bridge  that  had  to  be  crossed  sin 
gle  file.  Ouster  and  staff  stood  on  either  side  the  line  with  sabers  drawn, 
and  where  a  soldier  overcome  with  heat  had  fastened  his  carbine,  re 
volver  or  sword  to  the  saddle,  they  clipped  it  off  and  let  it  fall  into  the 
stream.  The  arms  were  charged  to  the  soldier,  and  of  course  there  was 
an  actual  money  loss  to  him  of  that  amount.  We  marched  forty  miles 
a  day  in  the  sun.  The  beef  cattle  followed  and  were  eaten  next  morn 
ing  before  daybrea.k.  The  flesh  fairly  crawled  after  cooking,  and  put 
the  soldiers  in  a  condition  unfit  for  the  march.  Plenty  of  beef  might 
have  been  picked  up  along  the  line.  Foraging  was  strictly  forbidden 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  279 

in  a  special  order,  on  penalty  of  shaved  head  and  twenty-five  lashes. 
The  conclusion  of  this  infamous  order  read  something-  like  this  :  •  Owing 
to  the  delay  of  court  martial  proceeding's  orderlies  are  charged  with  the 
execution  of  this  order.'  Many  a  poor  fellow  I  have  seen  with  head 
shaved  to  the  scalp,  tied  to  a  wag-on  wheel  and  whipped  like  a  dog,  for 
stealing-  a  piece  of  fresh  meat  or  a  peach  from  an  orchard  by  the  way 
side.  Search  of  camp  was  made  every  morning,  and  woe  to  the  un 
lucky  regiment  which  left  evidences  of  foraging.  One  member  of  our 
regiment  wrote  letters  to  Northern  newspapers  complaining  of  the 
treatment  received  at  the  hands  of  Custer  and  the  young  staff  officers 
that  influenced  him.  Every  effort  was  made  to  discover  the  identity  of 
the  correspondent,  but  in  vain.  In  1867,  however,  when  Custer  was 
court  martialed  at  Leaven  worth  and  relieved  of  command  and  pay  for  a 
year,  that  correspondent,  in  the  person  of  Dr.  Lothrop,  who  now  lives 
at  Lyons.  Iowa,  proved  one  of  the  strongest  witnesses  of  Custer's 
cruelty." 

STATEMENT  SENIOR  SURGEON  BRIGADE. 

Nothing  less  than  a  sense  of  justice  to  living  comrades  would  justify 
me  in  bringing  into  public  review  the  unfortunate  personalities  and 
shortcomings  of  a  deceased  officer,  who  had  won  some  honorable  dis 
tinction  in  the  command  of  dashing  squadrons.  There  are  times  when 
to  state  convictions  and  speak  plainly  of  dead  men's  faults  becomes  a 
sad  duty  to  good  men  living,  and  the  history  of  the  period. 

I.  M.  P.  Hanson,  of  Milwaukee.  Wisconsin,  was  Surgeon  of  the  Sec 
ond  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  one  of  the  regiments  that  made  up  General  G. 
A.  ('lister's  command  on  the  expedition  from  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  to 
Austin,  Texas,  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1865.  and  I  had  occasion  to 
observe  General  Custer's  ability  and  lack  of  ability  to  fill  so  large  a 
place. 

I  have  but  recently  read  General  Custer's  report  of  that  expedition 
to  the  War  Department,  and  General  Forsyth's  very  extravagant  en 
dorsement,  with  mingled  feelings  of  surprise  and  indignation. 

That  report  is  false  in  many  particulars,  and  utterly  false  as  a  gen 
eral  statement  of  any  condition  that  ever  existed  in  the  command,  and 
evidently  grew  out  of  the  necessity  there  was  for  the  parties  to  justify 
and  excuse  a  disgraceful  administration  of  the  command. 

General  Custer's  personalities  were  such  as  to  beget  in  the  line  offi 
cers  and  men  anything  but  confidence  and  respect.  Seeming  to  realize 
the  fact  that  he  was  too  small  for  the  place,  he  was  over-jealous  of  the 
ceremonies  due  the  position.  He  was  arbitrary  and  ever  cruel  in  his 


280  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

disclipine.  By  his  arrangement  of  the  court  he  got  three  men  sen 
tenced  to  be  shot,  after  the  rebels  had  surrendered,  and  war  the  was 
over,  and  he  was  commanding1  only  an  army  of  occupation.  Two  men 
from  the  Seventh  Indiana  for  desertion,  and  one  from  our  regiment,  for 
a  little  drunken  wordy  mutiny  against  our  Colonel,  N.  H.  Dale,  (now 
dead.)  who  thought  little  of  the  event  and  gave  himself  no  rest  until 
sentence  was  commuted,  and  the  soldier  was  finally  pardoned,  but  the 
barbarous  sentence  was  carried  out  to  the  execution  of  the  Indiana  men. 

General  Ouster's  ordering  of  the  march  through  the  three  hundred 
miles  of  pine  forest  from  the  western  borders  of  Louisiana,  to  Hemp- 
stead,  Texas,  were  unnecessarily  rigid  and  severe,  and  even  cruel  to 
our  sick  men.  ,  The  best  ambulance  teams  were  taken  to  transport  the 
General's  camp  equipage,  staff  and  hunting  dogs,  while  sick  men  were 
transported  on  unloaded  provision  wagons  without  springs. 

And  at  Hempstead  the  ambulances  were  corralled  at  headquarters, 
two  miles  from  the  camp  of  the  brigade,  and  no  Surgeon  could  get  an 
ambulance  to  move  a  sick  soldier,  or  air  a  convalescent,  or  bring  bread 
to  the  hospital  from  Hempstead  village  two  miles  away,  without  the 
formality  of  a  requisition  and  eight  miles'  extra  travel  for  his  orderly, 
while  the  ambulances  were  being  used  every  day  to  transport  hunting 
dogs  and  to  bring  in  any  blooded  hound  that  could  be  heard  of  within 
twenty  miles. 

General  Ouster  made  himself  very  acceptable  to  the  ex-rebels  by  in 
justice  to  his  command,  while  his  lack  of  personal  dignity  and  good 
sense  made  him  contemptible  as  Major  General. 

MILWAUKEE.  October  31st,  1890.  M.  P.  HANSON.  M.  1). 

BUTTE  CITY,  MONTANA,  September  21st.  1890. 

Generals  Ouster's  and  Forsyth's  statements  are  absolutely  false  so 
far  as  the  First  Iowa  is  concerned.  We  had  no  insubordination,  but 
very  few  deserters,  and  we  did  receive  outrageous  treatment  from  first 
to  last.  J.  D.  JENKS, 

Late  Major  1st  Iowa  Cav.  Vet.  Vol. 

An  injustice  could  not  be  more  palpable,  nor  could  an  infamy  be 
more  damnable,  than  an  untruthful  statement  such  as  the  foregoing, 
made  in  justification  of  a  course  so  brutal,  reflecting  as  it  does  on  the 
character  of  honorable  men  and  soldiers.  It  has  since  been  demon 
strated  that  the  author,  in  having  been  permitted  to  exercise  the  pre 
rogative  of  a  Major  General,  either  through  a  lack  of  judgment  or  an 
act  of  rashness,  led  to  death  in  the  valley  of  the  Big  Horn  the  unfortu 
nate  officers  and  men  under  his  command.  We  feel  as  though  we 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST   IOWA  CAVALRY.  '281 

should  be  charitable  now  that  he  is  dead.  There  was  no  act  of  a  sol 
dier  calling  for  such  punishment  as  shaving  a  soldier's  head,  requiring 
men  to  walk  in  a  circle  in  the  sun,  carry  rails,  etc.  Neither  was  such 
punishment  as  inflicted  sanctioned  by  the  regulations  of  the  army. 
The  valor,  integrity  and  soldierly  conduct  of  officers  and  men  of  the 
First  Regiment  of  Iowa  Cavalry  had  never  been  previous  to  this  time, 
or  has  never  since,  been  spoken  of  in  any  other  than  in  words  of  praise 
and  commendation.  To  a  fallen  foe  a  more  magnanimous  soldier  was 
never  known. 

Personally,    Major  General   Geo.    A.  Custer   and    Brigadier   General 
Jas.  A.  Forsyth  treated  me  with  marked  courtesy  and  kindness. 
I   have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.,  H.  S.  HKBKRLING. 

Late  Co.  fl,  1st  la.  Car.    Vet.    Vol.. 

Amb.  Officer  and  Actg.  Asst.  Q.  M.  2d  Car.  Div.,  M.  I).  (1. 
and  Pres.  1st.  la.  Cav.   V.  V.  Asft'n. 

9 

(The  reader  will  note  Captain  Heberling  was  ambulance  officer — 
which  perhaps  explains  the  unuaual  courtesy. —  V.  L.) 

DEPARTMENT  OF  POLICE, 
CEDAR  KAPID.S.   Iowa,  October  12th,  1889. 
CHAS.  H.  LOTHROP.  M.  L).,  late  Surgeon  Z.s'£  Iowa  Cavalry: 

Dear  Sir  and  Comrade — Replying  to  yours  of  October  10th  concern 
ing  the  command  of  General  G.  A.  Custer  from  June,  1866.  to  February, 
186(5.  I  can  add  but  little  to  what  Colonel  McQueen  has  so  ably  said  in 
his  report  to  the  Adjutant  General  of  Iowa,  part  of  which  you  will  un 
doubtedly  include  in  the  record.  I  have  carefully  read  and  digested 
the  report  of  General  Custer  to  General  Sheridan,  then  commanding 
the  Military  Division  of  the  Gulf,  under  date  of  October  26th.  1865.  I 
can  hardly  conceive  of  a  report  containing  more  misstatements,  or  in 
plainer  language,  lies,  than  appear  in  the  one  referred  to.  I  had  the 
honor  to  serve  as  a  private  soldier  in  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  an  honor 
untarnished  by  the  language  used  by  General  Custer  in  his  report  re 
ferred  to.  It  was  the  fortune  of  our  regiment  during  its  long  term  of 
service  to  be  commanded  by  gentlemen  as  well  as  brave  men.  and  never 
once  during  the  nearly  five  years  did  we  receive  one  word  of  censure 
from  a  commanding  officer  until  such  was  received  from  Generals  Cus 
ter  and  Forsyth.  Again,  why  was  it  thought  necessary  by  General 
Custer  to  bring  staff  officers  from  the  army  of  the  Potomac  to  command 
a  division  of  western  troops  ?  Other  commanding  Generals  selected 
their  staffs  from  their  commands.  General  Custer,  in  his  report,  refers 

to  Colonel  A.   G.   McQueen   in   language  very  uncomplimentary  to  the 
36 


282  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

latter.  What  can  I  say  in  justice  to  Colonel  McQueen  ?  Every  man 
in  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  had  nothing-  but  words  of  praise  for  Colonel 
McQueen.  Every  commanding1  officer  under  whom  we  ever  served  ap 
preciated  his  work.  He  was  known  by  all  as  a  brave  soldier,  a  Chris 
tian  gentleman,  and  a  strict  disciplinarian  but  no  tyrant ;  a  man  whom 
brief  authority  did  not  hurt,  a  friend  of  the  private  soldier,  a  man  and 
soldier  whom  General  Custer  found  could  see  to  the  welfare  of  his  regi 
ment,  notwithstanding  the  brutal  orders  received  by  him  from  division 
headquarters.  This  division  commanded  by  General  Custer  were  all 
veteran  regiments  from  Wisconsin.  Illinois  and  Indiana — five  regiments 
selected  by  General  Sheridan,  after  a  review  of  all  the  cavalry  in  the 
west,  to  form  an  "army  of  observation,  and  had  the  misfortune  to  be 
placed  under  command  of  General  Custer.  and  after  being  submitted  to 
the  most  brutal  and  cowardly  treatment  ever  experienced  by  any  com 
mand,  were  designated  by  the  commanding  General  as  "thieves  and 
highway  robbers,  guilty  of  the  most  infamous  conduct,"  etc..  etc.: 
branding  our  officers  with  conduct  equally  as  bad  as  that  with  which  he 
charged  the  men  under  their  command.  The  commanding  General 
says  the  men  and  officers  were  committing  depredations  in  violation  of 
the  articles  of  war.  Even  if  this  were  true,  which  I  deny.  General 
Custer  himself,  in  direct  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  United  States  and 
against  the  army  regulations,  caused  soldiers  to  be  brutally  whipped 
on  the  bare  back,  and  applied  the  razor  to  their  heads,  a  disgrace 
greater  than  death  to  the  volunteer  soldier — many  of  the  victims  of  his 
cruelty  being  men  who  were  the  best  of  soldiers,  good  and  respected 
citizens  at  home,  yet  without  the  semblance  of  law.  and  with  no  oppor 
tunity  afforded  them  for  defense,  this  commanding  General  disgraced 
them.  Was  it  not  a  wonder  that  Sitting  Bull  was  ever  afforded  the 
opportunity  in  the  mountains  of  the  Little  Big  Horn  ?  This  fact  speaks 
for  itself.  These  men  had  served  their  country  well  for  four  years  : 
had  followed  the  flag,  led  by  brave  and  humane  officers,  through  four 
years  of  bloodshed  and  suffering  ;  and  were  subjected  by  this  monster, 
after  peace  ha.d  been  declared  by  the  President,  to  such  inhuman  treat 
ment  as  wa.s  a  disgrace  to  the  service  as  well  as  the  victims.  Genera,! 
Custer  condemns  himself  out  of  his  own  mouth.  He  says  in  his  report. 
•  •  The  order  was  intended  as  only  temporary,  and  that  a  court  martial 
would  have  defeated  the  very  object  for  which  it  was  intended."  May 
I  ask.  then,  by  what  authority  did  he  inflict  such  punishment,  when 
Congress  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  a.bolished  whipping  in  the  army? 
His  assault  upon  Adjutant  Morrill  has  been  fully  met  by  Colonel  Me- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Queen  in  his  report  to  General  Baker,  and  at  the  time  by  General 
Thompson,  who,  when  he  assumed  command  of  the  Second  Brigade, 
promoted  Adjutant  Merrill  as  A.  A.  General. 

Others  better  able  than  myself  have  replied  to  this  report  of  General 
Custer,  yet  I  cannot  refrain  from  paying1  my  respects  to  this  man,  who 
during  his  brief  authority  attempted  to  disgrace  five  veteran  regiments, 
the  flower  of  the  Western  cavalry  service. 

I   remain  fraternally  yours,  P.   H.    FRANCIS, 

Late  of  B  Company,  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 

I.  Albert  U.  McCormick,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  was  Captain  of 
Company  H,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  was  present  and  in  command  of 
my  company  while  the  regiment  was  under  the  command  of  General 
George  A.  Custer,  commanding  Second  Division  Cavalry,  Military  Di 
vision  of  the  Gulf,  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1865.  and  while  I 
hesitate  to  contradict  the  statements  of  one  who  has  passed  beyond  the 
point  where  he  could  be  heard  in  his  own  behalf,  yet  1  feel  that  justice 
to  the  brave  men,  living  and  dead,  of  our  regiment,  demands  that  some 
thing  should  be  said  in  their  defense. 

I  have  carefully  read  the  statement  made  by  General  Custer  in  his 
letter  addressed  to  Major  General  Lee,  A.  A.  General,  Military  Division 
of  the  Gulf,  of  date  October  26th,  1865,  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  our 
regiment  and  the  other  regiments  composing  his  command,  in  which  he 
asserts  that  ••  highway  robbery  by  the  soldiery  of  this  command  was  of 
frequent  daily  occurrence,"  that  ••  no  citizen  was  safe  in  his  own  home,"" 
that  •  •  bands  of  soldiers  were  constantly  prowling  about  the  surrounding 
country  for  a  distance  of  twenty  or  thirty  miles,  robbing  the  inhabitants 
indiscriminately  of  whatever  they  chose1':  that  "upon  two  occasions 
that  I  now  remember  parties  were  led  by  officers  of  the  First  Iowa  Cav 
alry,  one  of  the  parties  being  under  the  charge  of  the  Adjutant  of  the 
regiment,  and  were  trespassing  on  the  premises  of  a  citizen  nine  miles 
from  camp.  The  latter  remonstrated  against  it ;  the  Adjutant  seized  a 
revolver  belonging  to  a  negro  who  accompanied  the  soldiers  and  threat 
ened  to  blow  the  citizen's  brains  out  if  he  dared  to  oppose  them.1' 

The  foregoing  is  quoted  from  the  report  of  General  Custer  and  is 
false  in  every  particular  statement. 

I  very  well  remember  the  incident  of  Adjutant  General  Morrill  hav 
ing  trouble  with  a  citizen  near  Alexandria,  Louisiana.  The  circum 
stances  were  about  this  way  :  Our  regiment  was  lying  in  camp,  doing 
nothing  except  routine  camp  duty,  and  it  was  very  monotonous.  So 
one  Sunday  morning  Adjutant  Morrill  obtained  from  Colonel  McQueen. 


284  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

commanding  the  regiment,  permission  to  go  out  in  the  country  for  rec 
reation,  taking  with  him  two  of  the  enlisted  men  of  the  regiment,  who 
I  think  were  orderlies  at  regimental  headquarters,  and  also  the  Adju 
tant's  colored  servant.  So  peaceful  were  the  thoughts  and  intents  of 
this  little  party,  that  none  of  them  deemed  it  necessary  to  even  carry 
their  arms,  except  the  colored  servant,  who  had  a  revolver.  During 
their  meandering  they  came  to  the  plantation  of  an  old  man,  whose 
name  I  have  forgotten,  and  of  that  fact  I  am  not  sorry  ;  and  as  the  day 
was  hot  they  halted  at  the  house  to  get  a  drink  of  water,  but  before 
they  had  dismounted,  or  even  entered  the  yard,  the  old  man  and  his 
boy  came  out,  each  armed  with  a  gun.  and  ordered  them  to  leave.  Ad 
jutant  Morrill  took  the  revolver  out  of  his  servant's  hands  and  made 
the  old  man  and  his  boy  put  their  guns  down.  He  then  arrested  the 
old  man.  and  ordered  him  to  report  to  Colonel  McQueen  at  sundown 
that  evening.  I  well  remember  when  the  old  man  came  to  our  camp 
that  evening.  There  were  quite  a  number  of  visitors,  citizens  of  Alex 
andria,  several  of  them  ladies,  who  had  come  out  to  witness  our  dress 
parade.  The  parade  was  just  over,  and  most  of  the  officers  had  stopped 
at  headquarters,  and  were  chatting  and  laughing,  when  we  were  ap 
proached  by  one  of  the  most  self-important  old  men  I  had  ever  met, 
who  demanded  to  know  where  --Mr."  McQueen  was.  This  was  the 
old  man  Adjutant  Morrill  had  ordered  to  report  to  Colonel  McQueen, 
but  so  vindictive  was  this  old  rebel  that  he  would  not  permit  himself  to 
address  Colonel  McQueen  by  his  military  title  :  and  this  was  not  on 
account  of  ignorance,  for  the  old  man  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point, 
and  had  been  a  Major  of  the  regular  army.  ( 'olonel  McQueen  sent  the 
old  man  under  escort  to  General  Custer.  with  Adjutant  Morrill's  state 
ment  of  his  reasons  for  arresting  him.  but  General  Custer  immediately 
released  him  without  investigation,  and  made  the  false  and  slanderous 
report  to  General  Sheridan. 

Adjuta.nt  Henry  L.  Morrill.  whom  General  Custer  would  have  the 
world  to  believe  an  outlaw  of  the  worst  character,  is  still  living  as  a 
witness  of  the  falsity  of  the  charge,  having  filled  many  important  posi 
tions  of  honor  and  trust,  and  is  now  the  General  Manager  of  the  St. 
Louis  &  San  Francisco  railroad,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Louis. 

I  was  with  my  company  and  regiment  during  all  the  time  we  were 
under  General  Custer  in  Louisiana  and  Texas,  and  say  without  hesita 
tion  or  mental  reservation  that  at  no  time  did  the  men  ever  show  any 
spirit  of  lawlessness  or  mutiny,  but  on  the  contrary  were  soldierly  in 
their  conduct  at  all  times.  I  remember  talking  with  members  of  my 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  285 

company  about  the  cruel  and  merciless  orders  of  the  commanding  Gen 
eral,  and  they  expressed  themselves  by  saying1  that  while  they  thought 
it  hard,  yet  they  would  bear  it.  because  they  had  then  served  four  years 
with  honor  and  did  not  propose  to  disgrace  themselves  now,  and  such 
I  am  sure  were  the  sentiments  of  the  entire  command. 

While  it  is  with  feelings  of  regret  at  the  necessity  of  contradicting 
the  report  of  General  Ouster,  because  he  is  not  living  to  answer  in  his 
own  defense,  at  the  same  time  I  take  pleasure  in  branding  the  endorse 
ment  of  General  James  W.  Forsyth  as  more  maliciously  false  than  the 
report  itself,  and  General  Forsyth  still  lives. 

A.  U.  McCORMICK, 
Captain  Co.  N.  1st  Iowa,  Cavalry. 

STATE  OF  IOWA.        ) 

>  ss. 

LTJOAS  COUNTY,  i 

Subscribed  in   my  presence,  and    sworn  to  before   me.  by  A.  U.  Mc- 

Cormick.  this  28th  day  of  December.  1889.  O.  E.  PAYNE. 

[L.  S.]  Clerk  District  Court. 

1.  J.  T.  Foster,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  was  Captain  commanding 
Company  B.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  that  my  company,  together  with 
Captain  McCormick's  company  and  the  balance  of  companies  belonging 
to  the  regiment,  were  stationed  at  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  all  under  the 
command  of  General  Ouster  ;  that  I  have  read  the  above  statement  of 
Captain  McCormick.  and  that  it  is  true  in  every  particular,  and  which 
I  heartily  endorse.  ,  J.  T.  FOSTER. 

Subscribed  to  by  said  J.  T.  Foster  in  my  presence,  and  by  him  sworn 
to  before  me.  the  undersigned  Notary  Public,  on  this  25th  day  of  Sep 
tember.  A.  D.  1890.  ROBERT  T.  T.  SPENCE, 

[L.  S.]  Notary  Public. 

I.  A.  W.  Hosford.  late  Captain  Company  G,  First  Iowa  Cavalry  Vol 
unteers,  would  respectfully  state  on  oath,  that  I  was  Provost  Marshal 
on  the  staff  of  Colonel  Wm.  Thompson,  commanding  brigade  during  the 
campaign  of  1865.  from  Alexandria,  Louisiana,  to  Austin,  Texas,  under 
the  command  of  General  Ouster.  That  in  the  discharge  of  my  official 
duties  I  became  an  eye-witness  of  the  operation  and  effects  of  the  com 
manding  General's  heartless  and  infamous  orders,  most  of  which  are 
published  in  the  Adjutant  General's  report  of  1867.  For  example,  one 
order  required  the  command  to  march  in  close  columns  of  fours,  and  any 
trooper  found  out  of  his  place  in  the  column  with  his  horse  was  dis 
mounted  and  sent  to  the  rear,  and  required  to  complete  the  campaign 
on  foot,  and  his  horse  given  to  a  trooper  that  had  been  marching  on 


W286  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

foot  from  the  start.  In  that  malarious  country  many  men  were  afflicted 
with  the  old  army  complaint  on  this  campaign,  and  the  frequent  pauses 
of  such  kept  them  running-  a  great  portion  of  the  time  to  catch  up  with 
their  horses,  that  had  to  be  left  in  the  moving  column  ;  and  in  a  num 
ber  of  instances  have  I  seen  them  fall  down  completely  exhausted,  and 
I  verily  believe  were  left  to  die  on  the  roadside,  as  the  greater  part  of 
the  few  ambulances  provided  were  kept  with  the  commanding  General 
in  the  advance,  for  the  accommodation  of  his  tired  dogs.  To  fully  un 
derstand  the  operation  of  this  order  it  is  necessary  to  know  that,  though 
we  had  lain  in  Alexandria  a  good  while,  and  many  cavalry  regiments 
had  been  mustered  out  of  service,  leaving  the  Government  with  an 
abundance  of  horses,  yet  fifty  or  more  men  from  each  regiment  were 
started  out  on  this  campaign  on  foot — something  we  had  never  before 
during  our  long  service  under  any  other  commander  been  required  to 
do.  We  had  been  in  the  service  nearly  five  years,  and  now  that  the 
war  was  over,  why  we  should  be  thus  treated  was  a  mystery  ruone  of  us 
were  able  to  solve. 

Though  this  march  was  made  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  year,  August 
and  September,  we  were  required  to  keep  our  jackets  buttoned,  and  all 
our  arms,  ammunition  and  rations  slung  to  us,  and  the  dust  so  thick 
much  of  the  time  we  could  not  see  our  file  leaders.  To  endure  this  was 
all  a  well  man  could  stand.  What  must  have  been  the  suffering  of  the 
sick  ones  ?  Our  hardship  and  suffering  would  have  been  endurable 
had  we  been  provided  with  enough  wholesome  food.  But  our  rations 
were  of  the  poorest  quality  and  scanty  in  supply.  My  recollection  is 
that  up  to  the  time  of  the  arrest  of  Horace  C.  Cure  no  rations  of  beef 
had  been  issued  to  the  command,  but  instead,  bacon  alive  with  maggots 
and  hogs1  jowls  with  tusks  six  inches  long  by  actual  measurement.  With 
such  rations,  and  abundance  of  cattle  in  the  country,  I  heard  of  no  in 
stance  of  foraging  or  any  depredations  of  any  kind  being  committed, 
except  the  killing  of  the  little  steer  by  Horace  C.  Cure  and  others,  for 
which  he  was  punished  so  severely  and  disgracefully,  while  the  value 
of  the  steer  could  not  exceed  at  that  time  and  place  five  dollars.  As 
Provost  Marshal  my  duties  required  my  presence  in  every  part  of  the 
command,  and  not  a  single  instance  of  highway  robbery  or  the  mal 
treatment  of  any  citizen  came  to  my  knowledge,  but  I  heard  many  of 
them  speak  of  the  orderly  behavior  and  good  demeanor  of  the  troops 
comprising  this  command.  Though  the  commanding  General  has  now 
gone  to  his  reward,  in  justice  to  the  honorable,  loyal  and  brave  heroes 
of  his  command  he  so  maliciously  slandered  to  vindicate  himself.  I  can 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  287 

say  no  less  than  to  pronounce  him  a  heartless  tyrant,  totally  unfit  to 
have  been  trusted  with  an  independent  command. 

As  I  read  his  endorsement  by  his  lackey,  James  W.  Forsyth,  my 
blood  fairly  boils  with  indignation  toward  the  man  that  would  thus  libel 
this  command  of  veteran  heroes,  thus  bartering-  his  honor  as  an  officer 
and  his  character  as  a  man  for  the  promise  of  a  promotion  in  the  not 
distant  future. 

The  fact  of  the  matter  is.  General  Custer  was  called  upon  to  give  an 
account  of  himself  for  his  cruel  and  unlawful  conduct  toward  his  com 
mand,  and  to  clear  himself  was  willing  to  sacrifice  every  man  in  his 
command,  and  to  give  him  a  good  send  off  his  prototype,  Forsyth,  was 
willing  to  go  him  one  better.  But  I  will  venture  to  say  that  this  man 
Forsyth  is  the  only  one  in  that  whole  command  by  whom  General  Cus 
ter  could  substantiate  what  he  says  in  his  statement  of  October  26th, 
1865,  or  the  only  officer  that  would  approve  of  his  arbitrary  and  cruel 
treatment  of  the  men  of  his  command. 

I  will  further  make  affidavit  to  the  truthfulness  of  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  A.  G.  McQueen1!-;  report  of  the  campaign  to  the  Adjutant  General  of 
Iowa,  with  the  statement  that  it  is  not  colored  in  the  least. 

(Signed,)  A.  W.  HOSFORD, 

Late  (''apt.  Co.  O.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  by  A.  W.  Hosford,  whom  I  be 
lieve  to  be  a  creditable  person,  this  24th  day  of  October.  1889. 

[L.  S.]  RICHARD  O.  GRUNER.    Notary  Public. 

1.  Ernest  A.  Klingenberg,  being  duly  sworn,  state  the  following 
facts  :  That  I  was  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  G.  First  Iowa  Veteran 
Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  that  I  was  in  command  of  the  aforesaid  compa 
ny  when  on  the  expedition  or  campaign  from  Alexandria.  Louisiana,  to 
Austin,  Texas.  Besides  our  regiment  there  were  the  Second  Wisconsin 
Cavalry,  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry,  and  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry, 
all  under  the  command  of  Major  General  Geo.  A.  Custer.  in  the  summer 
of  1865.  I  well  remember  the  infamous  and  cruel  orders  that  were 
issued  by  General  Custer  prior  to  our  departure  for  Texas,  viz  :  To 
march  in  close  column,  to  keep  our  jackets  buttoned,  and  to  have  our 
arms,  ammunition  and  rations  slung  to  our  bodies  ;  and  any  enlisted 
man  that  would  leave  the  ranks  with  his  horse,  irrespective  for  what 
ever  cause  might  naturally  compel  him  to  do  so,  had  to  suffer  himself 
to  be  dismounted,  his  horse  turned  over  to  another  regiment,  and  made 
to  walk  in  the  heavy  sand  through  the  broiling  sun. 

One  morning,  while  leaving  camp,  it  was  discovered  that  our  com- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

pany  wagon  required  repairing.  I  therefore  ordered  my  Second  Lieu 
tenant,  Eli  Waring,  to  take  charge  of  a  detail  of  men.  make  the  neces 
sary  repairs,  and  to  catch  up  to  the  command  as  soon  as  possible.  A 
few  hours  later,  while  General  Ouster  and  his  staff  were  flying  by  our 
column.  ( "  as  they  were  in  habit  of  doing  every  day")  one  of  his  Aides- 
de-Camp  reined  up  his  horse  beside  me  and  gave  me  the  startling  infor 
mation  that  my  Lieutenant  and  his  men  had  been  dismounted  by  order 
of  General  Custer.  Such  an  outrage,  when  I  had  left  a  commissionnd 
officer  in  charge  of  the  men  for  protection  in  the  discharge  of  their  du 
ties  ;  and  General  James  W.  Forsyth.  in  his  disgraceful  endorsement  of 
General  Ouster's  infamous  report  to  Major  General  Lee.  A.  A.  G.  Mili 
tary  Division  of  the  Gulf,  under  date  of  October  26th.  1865.  says. 
• '  While  en  route  for  Texas  I  dismounted  a  Lieutenant  belonging  to  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry  for  straggling."  What  a  malicious  falsehood,  the 
word  straggling,  as  that  was  the  same  Lieutenant  1  had  left  in  charge 
of  the  men  to  repair  our  company  wagon. 

The  command  was  subjected  to  even  more  humiliation — in  the  case 
of  private  Horace  0.  Cure,  of  Company  M,  and  another  man,  who  were 
lashed  and  the  razor  applied  to  their  heads  for  a  single  offense  of  hav 
ing  killed  a  small  beef  out  in  the  prairie,  while  we  were  subsisting  on 
hogs1  jowls  and  spoiled  bacon,  •  •  being  in  sight  of  abundance  of  cattle 
in  that  part  of  the  country  we  were  then  in."  But  to  come  back  to  that 
infamous  report  of  General  Custer  to  Major  General  Lee.  A.  A.  G..  to 
General  Phil  Sheridan,  dated  October  26th.  1865,  in  which  he  charged 
his  command  with  lawlessness  of  almost  every  description,  and  the 
cowardly  endorsement  of  Custer1  s  gallant  stand-by.  General  Forsyth. 
in  which  among  others  is  this  villainous  sentence,  viz  :  •  •  With  refer 
ence  to  Genera]  Custer's  orders  whilst  I  was  with  the  command,  I  have 
simply  to  say  that  he  made  a  great  mistake.  Instead  of  whipping  he 
should  have  shot."  That  infamous  report  of  Custer,  and  more  shameful, 
inhuman  endorsement  of  Forsyth,  was  merely  to  save  Custer  from  be 
ing  court  martialed,  which  he  so  richly  deserved  for  the  barbarous  acts 
toward  his  command,  who  were  so  unfortunately  entrusted  to  him  on 
that  famous  Texas  campaign. 

ERNEST  A,  KLINGENBERG. 
Late  1st  Lieut.  Co.  G,  1st  Iowa  Vet.   Vol.  Cav. 

Subscribed   and  sworn  to  before  me,  this  29th  day  of  October,  1890. 
[L.  S.]  GEO.  H.  WALTHER,  Notary  Public. 

Milwaukee  (Jounty,   Wisconsin. 


Lieut,  ERNEST  A,  KLIN  GENE- ERG- 

COMPANY    G. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  289' 

NORTH  MANCHESTER,  INDIANA,  August  29th,  1890. 

MRS.  C.  H.  LOTHROP  : — In  regard  to  the  truthfulness  of  General  Cus- 
ter's  report,  dated  October  20th.  1865,  would  say  :  He  says  that  the 
troops  while  there  were  a  ' '  terror  to  the  inhabitants,  infamous,  a  dis 
grace,  highway  robbers,  murderers,  etc.'1  In  the  first  place  when  we 
arrived  there  the  town  was  almost  deserted,  no  one  to  rob  and  nothing 
to  steal.  General  Banks'  army  had  torn  down  the  best  buildings  to 
build  the  dam  across  Red  river  to  let  the  gunboats  down.  He  says  the 
•  •  farmers  bringing  in  cotton  or  produce  were  permitted  to  sell  the  same 
and  then  were  robbed  in  open  daylight."  There  was  no  cotton  in  that 
part  of  the  country  for  over  two  years.  You  could  travel  for  miles  and 
not  see  cotton,  corn  or  produce,  except  peaches.  The  fields  were  over 
grown  with  weeds  and  briars.  A  few  of  the  inhabitants  had  returned 
from  the  rebel  army,  but  the  darkies  were  gone,  and  there  was  no  one 
to  work  the  farms.  Union  men  were  scarce.  We  paid  one  of  those 
gentry  a  visit.  He  had  a  line  mansion,  hundreds  of  bushels  of  fine 
peaches,  etc.  We  asked  him  for  a  few  to  eat.  He  cut  us  short,  said 
the  best  ones  were  for  General  Custer  and  staff.  He  had  a  guard  there 
with  orders  to  shoot  the  first  man  that  took  a  peach.  Well,  we  had 
some  peaches,  and  the  next  day  some  of  the  --boys"  went  out  and  es 
corted  the  fellow  to  town,  made  him  walk  through  the  dust  in  the  mid 
dle  of  the  road. 

You  have  the  story  about  the  Adjutant  threatening  to  shoot  that  fine 
citizen.  I  am  responsible  for  that,  not  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

As  to  the  charge  of  mutiny.  We  all  knew  the  war  was  over.  Many 
of  us  wanted  to  go  home  and  go  to  work.  Some  had  farms  and  many  had 
good  trades  to  work  at,  and  we  were  needed  at  home,  more  so  than  in 
the  service.  Some  who  held  commissions  and  were  getting  big  pay 
would  rather  stay  in  the  service.  It  was  hard  under  the  circumstances 
to  control  the  men.  Some  said  we  were  to  be  sent  to  Texas,  others  to 
Mexico.  When  Custer  issued  his  infamous  order  of  march  to  Texas 
the  whole  command,  officers  and  men,  were  dissatisfied.  All  com 
mented  upon  it,  and  ridiculed  it.  They  had  never  seen  the  like  of  it. 
General  Grant's  march  from  the  Rappahannock  through  the  wilderness 
to  Spotsylvania  could  not  hold  a  candle  to  it  for  size  and  foolery.  Be 
fore  we  left  Alexandria  three  men  were  sentenced  to  be  shot.  Two  were 
were  pardoned  before  the  word  "fire11  was  given.  What  they  had 
done  I  never  knew  or  found  out.  General  Custer  had  a  particular  hatred 
for  the  Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry  for  this  reason  :  We  kept  a  good  run 
ning  horse,  and  Custer  had  several  of  his  own  ;  Gen.  Forsyth  one  or  two. 

37 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

The  Seventh  Indiana  horse  beat  every  time  and  took  the  money.  It 
was  a  hard  dose.  His  infamous  order  looked  more  like  a  revenge  than 
a  military  order  of  march.  The  order  was  something  like  this  :  Every 
man  to  wear  his  proper  uniform.  Carry  forty  rounds  of  ammunition. 
Coat  buttoned  up  to  chin.  March  two  o'clock  A.  M.  No  one  allowed 
to  fall  out  of  ranks,  sick  or  well.  He  had  his  staff  ride  along  the  line 
continually  and  any  one  found  with  his  coat  unbuttoned  was  made  walk, 
no  matter  how  sick  he  was.  Many  of  the  poor  fellows  were  overcome 
by  the  intense  heat  and  had  to  fall  out,  and  their  bones  were  left  to 
bleach  in  the  pine  wilderness  of  Texas.  These  I  suppose  were  the  de 
serters  he  alludes  to. 

Now  something  about  the  proper  uniform.  General  Custer  on  his 
march  had  a  fine  outfit.  His  wife  was  with  him.  They  had  a  covered 
spring  wagon  drawn  by  four  grey  horses.  Servant  to  drive,  another  to 
cook,  one  to  take  care  of  the  fast  stock,  dogs,  etc.  They  would  start 
about  daylight  and  dash  past  us  about  nine  o'clock,  and  be  at  their  jour 
ney's  end  for  the  day  by  ten  o'clock  A.  M. 

We  would  be  in  about  six  o'clock  or  in  time  for  dress  parade.  That 
had  to  be  done  before  we  could  have  anything  to  eat  or  drink  from  the 
time  we  started. 

It  was  customary  for  Custer  as  soon  as  he  reached  camp,  to  go  on  a 
••  hunt."  There  were  a  good  many  deer  along  the  route.  One  after 
noon  while  on  the  march  we  espied  a  man  sitting  on  his  horse.  When 
we  came  up  I  saw  it  was  Custer.  He  was  dressed  in  •  •  cow-boy''  style. 
broad  rimmed,  grey  hat.  linen  duster,  and  a  double-barreled  shotgun 
across  the  pommel  of  his  saddle,  and  the  "boys'"  took  him  for  a  Texan. 
Some  of  my  company  said.  ••  Hello,  stranger,  how  will  you  trade  hats  ?" 
When  we  arrived  in  camp  I  was  ordered  to  Custer1  s  headquarters.  1 
expected  to  walk  next  day.  but  Mrs.  Custer  interfered  in  our  behalf.  She 
gave  him  to  understand  that  he  should  wear  his  proper  uniform — and 
so  we  were  saved,  and  I  would  have  written  this  twenty  years  ago.  only 
for  my  respect  for  her.  for  I  am  satisfied  she  was  the  best  General  of 
the  two.  The  command  arrived  at  Hempstead,  Texas,  after  a  march  of 
three  hundred  miles  through  a  pine  wilderness — men  worn  out :  horses 
in  poor  condition,  the  glanders  among  them  ;  many  had  to  be  shot :  mine, 
a  good,  faithful  animal,  which  had  carried  me  through  many  hard 
places,  among  them,  and  it  was  hard  to  part  with  him.  Well,  when  we 
reached  Hempstead  we  expected  better  rations.  Beef  cattle  was  plenty, 
but  our  rations  was  hog  jowls  and  flour  and  mouldy  hard  tack.  The 
sick  in  the  hospital  could  not  eat  this  kind  of  meat.  We  stood  this  as 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  291 

long  as  we  possibly  could.  Finally  one  of  the  boys  in  the  hospital 
wanted  some  beef  soup.  Three  of  the  boys  went  and  killed  a  calf 
which  would  have  weighed  about  three  hundred,  [t  did  not  belong  to 
the  rebel,  Dr.  Peebles,  as  Ouster  reports.  It  belonged  to  another  rebel. 
There  were  no  Union  men  there.  The  supposed  owner  .came  in  and  re 
ported  to  Custer.  He  sent  his  detective  around  and  searched  the  camp. 
Some  meat  was  found  in  Companies  L,  M  and  I.  His  court  martial 
was  in  good  running  order.  Whole  companies  were  ordered  to  report 
at  headquarters,  which  was  situated  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  and  in  the  sun 
the  men  had  to  lie  all  day,  until  the  entire  company  was  tried  by  de 
tail.  They  finally  found  two  men.  one  by  name  Larue  and  James  Arm 
strong,  of  Peru.  Indiana,  who  confessed,  and  were  given  twenty-five 
lashes  on  their  bare  backs,  and  their  heads  shaved.  Afterward  made 
to  march  in  front  of  the  regiment  at  dress  parade.  Instead  of  rejoicing, 
it  was  hisses  and  curses,  from  one  end  of  the  regiment  to  the  other. 
My  company  was  to  come  next,  but  fortunately  General  Shanks  arrived. 
I  met  him  at  the  train,  and  gave  him  a  history  of  the  proceedings.  He 
asked  me  what  I  was  going  to  do  about  it.  I  said.  •  •  that  every  gun 
was  loaded  and  we  would  die  right  there  before  we  would  submit  to 
such  treatment.1'  He  said  he  would  go  over  and  have  the  d— d  whip- 
ing  stopped.  *  *  * 

It  was  a  common  occurrence  to  see  soldiers  at  any  time  in  the  day 
draw  up  and  shoot  at  Custer  and  staff.  One  time  in  particular  they 
made  him  turn  back.  I  was  officer  of  the  day  at  the  time  and  saw  the 
whole  transaction.  General  Custer  asked.  "  Who  in  the  h-11  was  do 
ing  that  shooting."  I  told  him  there  would  be  more  ;  to  get  out  of  this. 
he  was  in  the  camp  of  the  Seventh  Indiana,  whose  men  he  had  whipped 
for  killing  a  beef.  It  was  the  last  time  I  saw  General  Custer,  and  you 
can  see  how  much  respect  we  had  for  him  as  a  soldier.  We  served 
under  Generals  Sheridan,  Smith,  McClellan  and  others  and  never  had 
any  trouble.  ***** 

GEORGE  W.  STOVER.    Seventh  Indiana. 

PORTLAND,  INDIANA. 

I  am  asked  as  to  the  truthfulness  of  the  foregoing  report  of  General 
Custer  and  endorsement  of  General  Forsyth.  and  would  say  they  are  a 
shame  and  disgrace,  and  a  vile  slander  on  the  soldiers  under  General 
Custer's  command.  I  did  see  a  soldier  murdered  by  order  of  General 
Custer.  His  crime  was  trying  to  get  away  from  the  reign  of  brutality, 
to  home  and  friends.  The  cotton  story  is  this  :  Two  cotton  haulers 
tried  to  get  through  the  lines,  but  were  refused  until  the  guard  could 


292  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

hear  from  headquarters.  The  haulers  took  advantage  of  the  halt, 
turned  the  team  and  drove  some  three  miles  out  and  managed  to  get 
stuck,  for  an  excuse  for  their  detention  in  case  they  were  found.  They 
were  citizens,  not  soldiers.  The  next  morning  the  old  planter  came  in, 
raving  and  swearing  "the  soldiers  had  stolen  his  cotton/1  and  reported 
the  same  at  headquarters.  He  offered  one  of  our  sergeants  ten  dollars 
if  h§  would  find  it ;  he  accepted  the  offer,  went  to  the  guard  post,  took 
the  wagon  trail,  and  found  the  cotton.  When  the  rebel  found  they  were 
not  soldiers  but  his  own  men  he  refused  to  pay,  but  Lake  said  it  must 
be  paid,  and  it  was  settled  without  further  controversy.  These  are  the 
true  facts  of  the  cotton  theft  and  money  robbery. 

And  further,  the  men,  dead,  weak  and  worn  out  from  torture  and 
starvation,  heat,  and  malaria  from  that  deadly  river  bottom,  were  not 
able  to  commit  the  atrocities  of  which  he  accuses  them. 

Ouster  punished  innocent  men  to  glut  his  venomous  disposition. 
Cure  was  falsely  accused  :  he  did  not  know  who  killed  the  beef ;  but  he 
was  tortured  for  many  hours  in  the  hot  sun,  stripped  and  whipped  un 
mercifully,  and  then  had  his  head  shaved  entirely  bald.  And  then 
Custer  to  misrepresent,  to  screen  his  own  damnable  deeds  !  On  the 
march  to  Hempstead,  Texas,  he  ordered  two  sick  men  out  of  the  ambu 
lance,  so  that  his  (Ouster's)  dogs  might  ride.  The  men  died  a,t  Hemp- 
stead.  And  this  is  but  a  small  part  of  his  brutal  doings. 

JOAB  SOMERS, 
Member  of  Co.  L,  1st  Iowa  Cavalry. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  this  15th  day  of  November.  1889. 
ISAAO  SIMMONS.  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

(Oould  furnish  a  hundred  similar  statements,  but  it  would  be  simply 
a  recapitulation  of  the  preceding,  and  this  part  of  the  record  is  closed 
with  an  extract  from  a  newspaper  of  the  day.  corroborative  of  the  fore 
going,  and  Governor  Stone's  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  also  printed 
at  the  time.  —  )7.  L.) 

Last  week  we  published  portions  of  three  letters  from  Texas,  which 
exposed  brutal  practices  resorted  to  by  General  Custer  in  the  treatment 
of  his  command,  the  army  in  Texas.  This  week  still  another  letter  is 
handed  us.  written  by  a  resident  of  Lyons,  from  which  we  copy  a  few 
lines  : 

"Our  health  is  better  than  our  grub.  We  get  half  rations  of  wormy 
bread,  and  sugar  and  coffee  according  :  fresh  beef  without  salt  or  pep 
per.  On  this  campaign  we  marched  from  two  till  ten  A.  M..  and  from 
four  till  eight  P.  M.  We  have  been  treated  worse  than  dogs.  General 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  293 

Ouster  went  in  the  advance.  He  and  his  wife  and  staff  would  be  shoot 
ing  all  day  long  ;  if  they  saw  a  quail,  they  would  stop  the  whole  com 
mand  in  the  sun,  so  they  could  get  a  chance  to  shoot  it.  They  made 
out  to  keep  us  in  the  sun  all  day.  The  sun  was  hot  enough  to  boil  cof 
fee  in  the  shade.'1 

These  complaints  of  ill  treatment  come  from  soldiers  from  the  differ 
ent  States,  and  not  a  doubt  exists  that  there  is  all  too  much  foundation 
for  them.  There  can  be  no  necessity  now  for  forced  marches,  nor  for 
poor  fare  any  length  of  time  ;  nor  can  there  be  any  palliation  for  the 
great  brutality  practiced  upon  soldiers  in  that  department, — Lyons 
Mirror,  Sept.  30th,  1865. 

STATE  OF  IOWA,  EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 

DESMOINES,  October  18th,  1865. 
HON.  E.  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War: 

Sir — My  attention  is  respectfully  called  to  the  many  complaints  of 
the  severe  treatment  to  which  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  now  serving  in 
Texas,  are  subjected  under  command  of  Major  General  Custer.  Excess 
ive  and  unreasonable  duty,  brutal  and  unmilitary  punishments  for  triv 
ial  offenses,  unauthorized  interference  with  the  mails,  whereby  the 
members  of  this  regiment  are  almost  deprived  of  communication  with 
their  friends  and  families,  are  among  the  abuses  complained  of,  and 
information  of  facts  upon  which  they  are  based  is  derived  from  sources 
so  authentic  that  I  am  constrained  to  indulge  the  belief  of  gross  mis 
conduct  on  the  part  of  this  General  toward  these  veteran  troops,  and  to 
again  demand  the  immediate  interference  of  your  department  in  their 
behalf. 

This  is  the  first  time  that  a  sense  of  duty  has  compelled  me  to  call 
attention  to  the  alleged  misconduct  of  a  general  officer  to  an  Iowa  regi 
ment,  and  it  is  the  only  instance,  so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  where 
just  ground  for  complaint  has  existed  ;  but  in  the  conduct  of  the  General 
named,  the  violations  of  law  and  regulations  have  been  so  palpable, 
and  his  treatment  of  these  men  so  indecent  and  brutal,  that  forbearance 
on  my  part  would  amount  to  criminal  neglect  of  duty. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  regiment  has  been  in  active  field  service 
for  over  four  years,  participating  in  the  most  arduous  and  perilous  cam 
paigns  of  the  western  division  of  the  army,  I  respectfully  suggest  and 
urge  that  it  be  discharged  as  soon  as  the  exigencies  of  the  public  ser 
vice  will  permit. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  &c., 
— State  Register.  W.  M.   STONE. 


1866. 

The  beginning  of  the  year  1866  found  the  regiment  as  here 
tofore  at  Austin,  with  detachments  in  various  localities  assisting 
in  the  restoration  of  civil  government.  The  attempt  of  the 
powers  of  the  old  world  to  create  a  diversion  in  favor  of  the  so 
called  Southern  Confederacy,  by  attempting  to  transfer  tho 
conflict  to  Mexico,  had  signally  failed,  and  the  reconstruction 
of  the  Southern  portion  of  our  sorely  smitten  Nation  had  com 
menced  and  was  rapidly  progressing. 

On  January  24th  the  following  special  order,  No.  20,  was 
issued  from  headquarters  Department  of  Texas,  ordering  the 
muster  out  of  service  of  the  First  Iowa,  Third  Michigan  and 
Seventh  Indiana  Cavalry  Regiments  : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  TEXAS, 

GALVESTON,  TEXAS,  January  24th,  1865. 
SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  20.  (Extract.) 

The  following  regiments  will  be  at  once  mustered  out  of  service  of 
the  United  States  : 

First  Iowa  Volunteer  Cavalry, 
Third  Michigan  Volunteer  Cavalry. 
Seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Cavalry. 

The  musters  out  of  these  regiments  will  be  made  in  conformity  with 
general  orders  No.  94,  series  65,  War  Department,  and  will  include  the 
entire  organization,  present  and  absent. 

As  soon  as  each  regiment  is  mustered  out.  it  will  be  at  once  placed 
en  route  for  its  proper  State  rendezvous.  Its  commanding  officer  re 
porting  on  his  arrival  at  New  Orleans  to  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Sturgeon,  U.  S.  Army,  Chief  Mustering  Officer,  Military  Division  of  the 
Gulf,  and  to  Brevet  Major  General  T.  W.  Sherman,  commanding  East- 


HISTORY  OF  FIKST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  295 

ern  Department  of  Louisiana.     The  Quartermaster's  Department  will 
furnish  the  necessary  transportation. 

All  officers  and  enlisted  men  on  detached  duty  belonging  to  either  of 
the  above  named  organizations  will  be  at  once  relieved  and  returned  to 
their  regiments. 

Major  General  Ouster,  commanding  cavalry,  will  forward  to  these 
headquarters  a  statement  of  the  number  of  officers  and  men  of  each 
regiment  present  and  the  number  absent. 

The  Chief  Mustering  Officer  of  the  Department  is  charged  with  the 
execution  of  this  order.  t 

By  command  of  Major  General  Wright. 

(Signed.)  A.  H.  WHITTSLAY, 

Official :    L.  W.  BARNHART,  A.  A.  A.  O.  Brt.  Col.  and  A.  A.  <1. 

The  order  was  received  at  regimental  headquarters  February 
1st.  The  news  was  received  with  joyful  acclaim.  The  regi 
ment  felt  that  the  day  of  its  deliverance  was  at  hand  ;  that  its 
trials  and  sufferings  were  at  an  end  ;  that  it  had  passed  through 
the  terrible  ordeal  successfully,  and  had  left  undimmed  the 
grand  escutcheon  of  Iowa's  honor  and  patriotism  ;  that  it  would 
return  to  the  people  who  bade  it  be  faithful,  true  and  brave, 
when  nearly  five  long  years  ago  they  sent  it  to  the  battle  front, 
in  defense  of  country  and  home.  That  they  would  return  to 
their  fathers,  mothers,  sweethearts  and  wives,  brothers,  sisters, 
and  neighbors,  lay  aside  the  implements  of  war,  and  receive  the 
plaudits  of  a  grateful  people  :  Well  done,  faithful  soldier  of 
an  undivided  republic.  Detachments  of  the  regiment  which 
had  been  located  at  various  places  were  ordered  to  report  at 
headquarters  without  delay,  and  other  preparations  made  for 
the  muster  out. 

On  January  31st  the  following  special  order,  No.  25,  requir 
ing  all  officers  on  duty  at  ' k  these  headquarters  detached  from 
regiments  serving  in  this  command  "  to  report  to  their  respect- 
ive  regiments  : 

HEADQUARTERS  CAVALRY,  DEPARTMENT  OF  TEXAS. 
Final.  January  31st,  1866. 

SPECIAL  ORDERS  No.  25.  (Extract.) 

XIV.     *     *     *     All  officers  now  on   duty  at  these  headquarters  de- 


296  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

tached  from  regiments  serving  in  this  command,  are  hereby  relieved 
and  will  report  to  the  commanding  officer  of  their  respective  regiments. 
By  command  of  Major  General  Custer. 

JACOB  L.  GREENE, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
LT.  H.  S.  HEBERLING,  1st  Iowa  Cav.  Amb.  Off. 

About  this  time,  by  order  from  the  War  Department,  Major 
General  Custer  and  his  staff  officers  were  also  ordered  mustered 
out  the  service.  This  fact  was  not  generally  known  among  the 
soldiers,  and  it  was  regarded  as  fortunate  for  General  •  Custer 
that  the  fact  was  not  known.  In  his  (Custer' s)  anxiety  to  leave 
the  presence  of  the  men  he  had  so  cruelly  treated,  he  ordered 
relays  of  twelve  horses,  stationed  at  points  along  his  route,  to 
expedite  his  flight  from  the  scenes  of  his  barbarous  inhumanity. 
The  hero  of  .''many  a  mad  charge,"  sinking  into  the  "hero  of 
the  lash,"  left  during  the  night  of  February  4th,  unhonored 
and  unrespected.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  order  to 
Lieutenant  Heberling  relating  to  the  relay  of  horses  : 

OFFICE  CHIEF  Q.  M.  CAV.,  February  3d,  1866. 

LIEUT  : — We  will  want  twelve  horses  from  your  train  to  send  out  as 
relays  for  the  General.  Have  them  ready  by  twelve  o'clock.  I  want 
only  the  horses  without  harness.  I  will  have  the  proper  order  for  you 
by  the  time  the  horses  are  wanted. 

Truly.  &c..  A.  S.  JONES, 

Approved  :  Lt.  and  A.  A.  O. 

G.  A.  CUSTER,  Brt.  Brig.  Gen.  U.  S.  A. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen  writes  as  follows  in  relation  to 
this  matter  :  k  4  Having  been  privately  informed  as  to  General 
Custer' s  intention  in  having  a  relay  of  horses  'for  his  use  to  reach 
Austin,  I  apparently  happened  to  be. riding  past  General  Custer's 
headquarters  at  the  Insane  Asylum  just  as  those  ambulance  team 
sters  were  drawn  up  in  front  of  his  headquarters,  and  made  in 
quiry  what  it  meant  and  was  told.  I  then  ordered  Lieutenant 
Heberling  to  take  the  teams  back  to  quarters,  and  have  all  the 
First  Iowa  men  returned  to  the  regiment  as  soon  as  he  could 
turn  the  property  over  to  the  Post  Quartermaster.  Lieutenant 


HISTOKY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  297 

Heberling  ordered  a  sergeant  to  take  the  teams  to  quarters, 
which  he  did.  Custer  was  standing  in  the  door,  and  heard  and 
saw  all  that  was  said  and  done,  but  did  not  say  a  word.  He 
then  sent  to  General  Sturgis,  asking  that  they  be  returned. 
General  Sturgis,  however,  sent  an  ambulance  with  two  mules, 
a  sergeant  and  six  men,  to  escort  him  to  Brenham.  It  was  re 
ported  to  me  that  there  was  a  detachment  of  men  in  the  bush 
before  daylight,  with  carbines  to  lire  a  parting  salute,  but  he 
passed  about  two  hours  before  they  got  into  position. 

I  had  a  copy  of  the  order  mustering  Custer  and  his  staff  out 
before  Custer  received  the  order,  but  did  not  dare  say  anything 
about  it.  The  man  who  sent  it  is  now  dead.  He  never  be 
longed  to  the  regiment.  Mustering  Custer  and  his  staff  out  was 
done  to  save  trouble  and  a  great  deal  of  expense.  I  have  long 
since  burned  this  secret  correspondence,  at  the  request  of  parties 
who  were  liable  to  be  injured  by  it/'1 

Colonel  and  Brevet  Brigadier  General  8.  1).  Sturgis  being 
now  in  command  of  the  troops,  located  at  Austin  and  vicinity. 

On  February  7th,  Colonel  and  Brevet  Brigadier  General 
William  Thompson  was,  by  order  of  General  Sturgis,  placed 
in  command  of  the  First  Brigade.  By  the  following  special 
order,  No.  1,  the  following  named  officers  were  announced  as 
members  of  General  Thompson's  staff:  First  Lieutenant  W. 
W.  Fluke,  A.  A.  Q.  M. ;  Captain  T.  J.  R.  Perry,  Company  C, 
A.  A.  I.  G. ;  Surgeon  Chas.  H.  Lothrop,  Senior  Surgeon— all 
of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry: 

HEADQUARTERS  IST  BRIG.  CAV.  D.  T., 

AUSTIN.  TEXAS.  February  7th,  1866. 
SPECIAL  ORDER  No.  1. 

V.  The  following  named  officers  are  announced  as  staff  to  the  Bre 
vet  Brigadier  General  commanding-  brigade,  and  will  report  to  these 
headquartars  without  delay: 

First  Lieutenant  W.  W.  Fluke,  R.  Q.  M.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  A.  A. 
Q.  M. 

Captain  T.  J.  R.  Perry,  Company  C,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  A.  A.  I.  G. 

38 


298  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Surgeon  Chas.  H.  Lothrop,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  Senior  Surgeon. 
By  order  of  Brevet  Brigadier  General  Thompson. 

R.  T.  NEWELL, 

1st  Lieut.  1st  Iowa  Cavalry,  A.  A.  A.  Oenl. 
SURG.  CHAS.  H.  LOTHROP,  1st  la.  Cav. 

Soon  afterward  General  Thompson  with  escort  left  on  a  short 
tour  of  inspection,  to  San  Antonia  and  other  places. 

After  General  Sturgis  assumed  command  ;  k  the  reign  of  ter 
ror  ' '  ceased,  and  a  most  kindly  feeling  existed  between  General 
Sturgis  and  the  officers  and  men  of  his  command.  General 
Sturgis  was  a  most  kind  and  affable  gentleman,  and  will  be  ever 
held  in  high  esteem  by  the  Old  First  Cavalry  Regiment. 

During  this  time  preparations  for  the  muster  out  of  the  regi 
ment  had  been  in  active  progress,  and  the  necessary  prepara 
tions  for  a  homeward  inarch  made.  It  left  Austin  on  the  19th 
by  the  way  of  Bastrop  to  Brenham,  and  from  thence  by  rail 
road  to  Galveston,  and  by  steamer  Magnolia  to  New  Orleans. 
In  contrast  with  the  manner  in  which  General  Ouster  left  the 
scene  of  his  operations,  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry  left  Austin  in  the  day  time.  General  Sturgis,  with  his 
staff  officers  and  brigade  band,  together  with  a  number  of  the 
kk  terrorized  "  citizens,  acted  as  escort  for  a  short  distance  out 
of  the  city,  and  on  parting  they  bid  the  old  regiment,  that 
"terror  of  the1  citizens,"  a  most  kindly  farewell,  and  wished  the 
''•boys''''  a  safe  and  pleasant  journey  to  their  Northern  homes. 
Leaving  Galveston  on  the  28th,  it  reached  New  Orleans  March 
2d.  The  next  day  it  left  on  the  steamer  W.  H.  Osborn,  and 
arrived  at  Cairo,  Illinois,  on  the  9th. 

On  the  10th  it  left  Cairo  by  the  way  of  the  Illinois  Central 
railroad,  and  arrived  at  LaSalle,  a  town  at  the  junction  of  the 
Illinois  Central  railroad  with  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pa 
cific  railroad,  at  10.30  p.  M.,  in  box  or  freight  cars.  Leaving 
LaSalle  by  the  way  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  rail 
road  at  4.30  A.  M.  of  the  12th,  it  arrived  at  Davenport,  Iowa, 
on  the  same  dav. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRT.  299 

On  the  evening  of  the  13th  a  most  hearty  welcome  was  ten 
dered  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  in  the  form  of  a  grand  recep 
tion  at  the  palatial  residence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woods  ;  and  on 
the  15th  it  was  discharged  and  finally  paid. 

After  nearly  five  years  of  arduous  and  most  faithful  service 
in  preserving  the  integrity  of  the  Nation,  with  not  a  single  stain 
to  dim  the  brightness  of  its  escutcheon,  it  was  mustered  out, 
and,  returning  home,  the  patriot  soldier  became  an  honored 
citizen. 

The  total  number  of  enlistments  were  2, 187,  and  the  casual 
ties  551. 

The  following  officers  received  brevet  rank,  United  States 
Volunteer  Army : 

Colonel  and  Brigadier  General  Fitz  Henry  Warren,  Major 
General. 

Colonel  William  Thompson,  Brigadier  General. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  A.  G.  McQueen,  Colonel  and  Brigadier 
General. 

Major  J.  D.  Jenks,  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

Surgeon  M.  B.  Cochran,  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  H.  L.  Morrill,  Captain  and  Major. 

Captain  H.  H.  Heath,  Company  L,  afterward  Colonel  Sev 
enth  Iowa  Cavalry,  Brigadier  General. 

ROSTER  OF  OFFICERS  OF  REGIMENT. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Oolonefa — Fitz  Henry  Warren,  James  O.  Gower,  Daniel 
Anderson,  William  Thompson. 

Lieutenant  Colonels — Chas.  E.  Moss,  P.  Gad  Bryan,  Daniel 
Anderson,  Joseph  W.  Caldwell,  Alexander  G.  McQueen. 

Majors — Edwin  W.  Chamberlain,  James  O.  Gower,  Wm. 
M.  G.  Torrence,  P.  Gad  Bryan,  Daniel  Anderson,  Joseph  W. 
Caldwell,  Levi  Chase,  William  Thompson,  Alexander  G.  Mc 
Queen,  James  D.  Jenks,  John  McDermott,  Thomas  A.  Bere- 
man,  William  S.  Whisenand. 


300  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Surgeons — Milton  B.  Cochran,  Charles  H.  Lothrop. 

Assistant  Surgeons — David  B.  Allen,   Charles  H.   Lothrop, 
John  A.  Ladd,  John  J.  Sanders,  James   Hervey,  Asa  Morgan. 

Additional  Assistant   Surgeon — Charles  H.  Lothrop. 

Adjutants — Joseph  C.  Stone,  David  A.  Kerr,  John  A.  Don- 
nell,  Henry  L.  Morrill. 

Quartermasters — Martin  L.  Morris,  Samuel  C.  Dickerson, 
Claus  H.  Albers.  Wm.  W.  Fluke. 

Commissaries — Henry  L.  Dashiell,  Robert  T.  Newell. 

Battalion  Adjutants — David  A.  Kerr,  James  M.  Bryan, 
Henry  L.  Robinson,  Joseph  S.  Edsall. 

Battalion  Quartermasters— John  A.  Landis,  Charles  A.  Case, 
William  H.  Mussy. 

Chaplains — James  W.  Latham,  John  M.  Coggeshall,  James 
S.  Rand. 

COMPANY  A. 

(Japtains — Wm.  M.  G.  Torrence,  Alex.  G.  McQueen.  Rob 
ert  M.  Reynolds,  Thomas  J.  O'Bleness. 

First  Lieutenant*—  Alex.  G.  McQueen,  Robert  M.  Reynolds, 
John  R.  Marshall.  John  L.  Russell,  Thomas  J.  (VBleness,  Al 
exander  P.  Boyse. 

Second  Lieutenants — Robert  M.  Reynolds,  John  A.  Bishop, 
John  R,  Marshall,  John  L.  Russell,  Thomas  J.  O'Bleness,  Al 
exander  P.  Boyse. 

COMPANY   B. 

Captains — Wm.  K.  Leffingwell,  Samuel  S.  Burdett,  Joseph 
T.  Foster. 

First  Lieutenants — Samuel  S.  Burdett,  Joseph  T.  Foster, 
Henry  P.  Sniffer. 

Second  Lieutenants—  William  H.  DeFreest,  Henry  P.  Shif- 
fer,  Hiram  S.  Heberling. 

COMPANY  C. 

Captains — Levi  Chase,  Thomas  Jones,  Thomas  J.  R.  Perry. 

First  Lieutenants — Benjamin  Raney,  Thomas  Jones.  Matthew 
Ronaldson,  Thomas  J.  R.  Perry,  Clinton  M.  Turner. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  301 

Second  Lieutenants — Albert  F.  Dean,  Thomas  Jones,  Matthew 
Ronaldson,  William  A.  Clark,  Clinton  M.  Turner. 

COMPANY  D. 

Captains — P.  Gad  Bryan,  James  D.  Jenks,  George  M. 
Walker. 

First  Lieutenants— James  D.  Jenks,  William  R.  Shriver, 
George  M.  Walker,  James  G.  Rutter. 

Second  Lieutenants — William  R.  Shriver,  Geo.  M.  Walker, 
William  B.  Ramsey. 

COMPANY  E. 

Captains — William  Thompson,  Thomas  A.  Bereman,  Wm. 
A.  Coulter. 

First  Lieutenant* — William  P.  McClure,  Silas  R.  Nugen, 
William  A.  Coulter,  Christian  C.  Kauffman. 

Second  Lieutenants — Thomas  A.  Bereman,  Sumner  B.  Mar 
shall,  William  A.  Coulter,  Christian  C.  Kauffmau,  George  E. 
Ives. 

COMPANY   F. 

Captainx— James  O.  Gower,  Philip  E.  Shaver,  Chas.  Dustin. 

First  Lieutenants — James  R.  Elliott,  Philip  E.  Shaver, 
Charles  Dustin,  Jacob  Hursh,  Charles  W.  W.  Dow. 

Second  Lieutenants — Philip  E.  Shaver,  Chas.  Dustin,  Jacob 
Hursh,  Chas.  W.  W.  Dow,  James  C.  Huskins. 

COMPANY  G. 

Captains — James  D.  Thompson,  John  McDermott,  Albert 
W.  Hosford. 

First  Lieutenants — John  McDermott,  Elkanah  S.  Foster, 
Ernest  A.  Klingenberg. 

Second  Lieutenants — Elkanah  S.  Foster,  Solomon  Smith, 
Albert  W.  Hosford,  Eli  Waring. 

COMPANY  H. 

Captains — Daniel  Anderson,  Riley  Westcoatt,  William  S. 
Whisenand.  Albert  U.  McCormick. 


302  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

First  Lieutenants — Riley  Westcoatt,  Win.  S.  Whisenand, 
Albert  U.  McCormick,  Samuel  T.  Craig. 

Second  Lieutenants — Wm.  8.  Whisenand,  Albert  U.  Mc 
Cormick,  Samuel  T.  Craig,  George  M.  Mark. 

COMPANY  I. 

Captains — Joseph  W.  Caldwell,  David  C.  Dinsmore,  Amos 
Dilley. 

First  Lieutenants — David  C.  Dinsmore,  Amos  Dilley.  Jo 
seph  H.  Springer. 

Second  Lieutenants—William  H.  Kitterman,  Samuel  M. 
Lindsey. 

COMPANY  K. 

Captains — Robert  L.  Freeman,  Thomas  H.  Barnes,  James 
M.  Russell. 

First  Lieutenants — Thomas  Henry  Barnes,  Chas.  F.  Keeler. 
Walter  W.  Carpenter. 

Second  Lieutenants — Albert  L.  Freeman,  Hiram  H.  Sowles, 
Charles  F.  Keeler,  James  M.  Russell,  Charles  DuBois. 

COMPANY  L. 

Captains — Herman  H.  Heath,  David  C.  Mclntyre. 

First  Lieutenants — David  C.  Mclntyre,   James  M.  Simeral. 

Second  Lieutenants- — James  M.  Simeral,  Warren  Y.  Reeves, 
John  M.  P^nochs. 

COMPANY  M. 

Captains — Wm.  H.  Ankeny,  James  P.  Crosby,  Solomon 
Townsend. 

First  Lieutenants — James  Crissy,  Edwin  A.  Dunham,  Geo. 
McDouall. 

Second  Lieutenants — James  P.  Crosby,  Edwin  A.  Dunham. 
Solomon  Townsend,  George  McDouall,  Edward  Ware. 


DETACHED  SERVICE. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 
COLONEL  WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 

In  June,  1863,  at  the  organization  of  General  John  W.  Davidson's 
great  Cavalry  Division  of  the  Missouri.  I  was  detailed,  by  his  order 
and  by  the  consent  of  Colonel  Gower,  as  Inspector  General  of  the  di 
vision.  I  remained  on  duty  in  this  capacity  until  the  General  was 
relieved  by  General  Eugene  Carr  nearly  a  year  after,  when  I  was  re 
tained  by  General  Carr  as  Inspector  General  and  Chief  of  Staff  com 
bined. 

I  remained  on  General  Carrs  staff  until  the  day  after  General  Price 
of  the  Confederate  army  and  his  command  crossed  the  Arkansas  river, 
going  north  on  his  raid  on-  Pilot  Knob,  in  1864.  when  I  was  ordered  to 
St.  Louis  by  General  Carr,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  horses  for  his 
command  and  to  apprise  General  Rosecrans  of  General  Price's  coming. 
There  were  no  horses  obtainable.  General  Davidson  had  become  Chief 
of  Cavalry  Bureau  in  the  West,  with  his  headquarters  at  St.  Louis. 
Learning  of  my  arrival,  he  at  once  detailed  me  on  his  staff  as  Supervis 
ing  Inspector  of  Cavalry  horses,  and  fixed  my  headquarters  at  Keokuk. 
Iowa. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  1864,  I  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the  First 
Iowa  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  on  the  20th  I  had  returned  to  Little  Rock, 
was  mustered  as  Colonel,  and  took  charge  of  the  regiment. 

In  March,  April  and  May  of  1865,  I  commanded  a  brigade  under- 
General  Osborne  at  Memphis,  and  in  West  Tennessee  and  Northern 
Mississippi.  In  June  I  moved  with  my  regiment  to  Alexandria,  Louis 
iana,  and  reported  to  General  Geo.  A.  Custer,  who  in  a  short  time  after 
ordered  me  in  command  of  the  Second  Brigade  of  his  division.  In  this 
position  we  remained  until  we  arrived  at  Austin,  Texas.  After  that. 


304  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

during  the  winter  of  1865-6,  I  was  ordered  by  General  Custer  to  pro 
ceed  to  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  relieve  General  Stanley,  and  to  take 
command  of  all  the  cavalry  stationed  there,  some  six  or  eight  regiments. 
This  duty  I  performed,  and  remained  there  until  I  left  for  home  to  be 
mustered  out.  I  left  there  the  last  of  February,  and  had  reached  Gal- 
veston  by  the  1st  of  March.  WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 

COLONEL  DANIEL  ANDERSON. 

Officer  issuing  order.  General  J.  VV.  Davidson.  Detached  in  com 
mand  of  Second  Brigade  Cavalry  Division,  from  October,  1863,  to 
March  23,  1864.  Also  detached  on  military  comimssioii  at  Little  Rock. 
Arkansas.  Detached  March  23,  1864.  commanding  post  Little^Rock, 
by  order  of  Major  General  Steele. 

MAJOR  LEVI  CHASE. 

Officer  issuing  order,  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren.  Number  of  order- 
lost  in  the  fire  at  Clinton.  Missouri.  Place  of  service,  in  command  of 
post  at  Osceola,  Missouri.  Date,  summer  of  1862.  Also  detached  by 
order  of  Brigadier  General  J.  W.  Davidson  in  the  fall  of  1863,  and  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  Remount  Camp  for  Cavalry  Division  at  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas,  during  the  following  winter.  During  this  time  also 
acted  as  judge  of  regimental  court.  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

C.  HENRI  ALBERS. 

"Was  detached  as  clerk  to  the  A.  A.  General  of  Phillips1  brigade, 
October,  1862,  perhaps  a  month,  at  Cross  Hollows.  Was  appointed  R. 
Q.  M.  of  the  Third  Iowa  Cavalry,  at  the  expiration  of  the  detached 
service.'1 

H.  L.  MORRILL. 

• '  Never  was  detached  from  regiment  so  as  to  leave  it,  but  served  as 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General  of  brigade  under  Colonel  Thompson. 
Also  served  on  court  martial  at  Austin.  Texas,  by  order  of  General 
Custer.11 

SURGEON  D.  B.  ALLEN. 

"Was  commissioned  Surgeon  of  the  Thirtieth  Iowa  Infantry,  April 
10th,  1863.  Was  in  the  First  Division  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  com 
manded  by  General  W.  T.  Sherman.  Joined  my  regiment  on  or  about 
May  1st.  1863." 

H.  L.  DASHIELL. 
Was  Provost  Marshal  at  Clinton,  Missouri  has  no  record  of  date. 

EVARTS    S.   EWING. 

Not  found. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  306 

COMPANY  A. 
LIEUTENANT  J.  A.  BISHOP. 

Was  on  a  military  commission  in  the  winter  of  1862-3,  a  short  time 
at  Springfield,  Missouri,  at  the  time  Marmaduke  made  the  raid  on  the 
town.  Do  not  recollect  the  date. 

COMPANY  B. 
CAPTAIN  S.  S.  BUKDETT. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  Brigadier  General  Fitz  Henry  Warren  had  me 
detailed  as  Brigade  Quartermaster  on  his  staff.  Served  with  him  in  the 
field  in  that  capacity  until  the  spring"  of  1863,  when,  by  order  of  the 
Major  General  commanding  the  Department  of  the  Missouri.  I  was  de 
tailed  as  Assistant  Provost  Marshal  of  the  Department,  and  assigned  to 
duty  at  St.  Louis,  where  I  remained  until  mustered  out  at  end  of  term 
of  service.  (August.  1864.)  Have  mislaid  all  the  special  orders,  etc. 

J.  M.  GATES.  ORDERLY  SERGEANT. 

Officer- issuing  order,  General  Fitz  Henry  Warren.  Place  of  service. 
Davenport  and  vicinity.  Date,  October.  1862.  Nature  of  service,  re 
cruiting  for  company. 

R.  M.  BODELL.  VETERINARY  SURGEON. 

Order  of  General  Steele.  Place  of  service,  with  the  Fourth  Arkan 
sas  Cavalry.  Nature  of  service,  veterinary  surgeon. 

COMPANY  C. 

LIEUTENANT  CLINTON  M.  TURNEU. 

Officer  issuing  order.  Major  McDermott.  Number  not  remembered. 
Place  of  service,  command  of  Company  L,  at  Mexico.  Missouri,  and  on 
••Price's  raid/' in  fall  of  1864.  Command  of  \  company  from  North 
Missouri  to  Little  Rock,  December,  1864.  Command  of  B  company  at 
Austin.  Texas.  January,  1866.  by  order  of  Colonel  Wm.  Thompson. 

CAPTAIN  T.  J.  R.  PERRY. 

I  was  in  command  of  Columbia.  Missouri,  during  the  ••Price  raid.1' 
but  cannot  send  the  date  or  order  used. 

LIEUTENANT  GEORGE  VAN  BEEK. 

Officer  issuing  order,  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren.  Number  of  order, 
special.  Place  of  service  and  with  whom.  Montevallo,  Missouri,  and 
served  continuously  until  relieved  at  Forsyth,  Missouri — first  with  Ew- 

ing  A.    — ;   then   with    Lieutenant    Shafer,    at  Osceola,    Missouri ; 

then  with  Billy  Wilson,  driving  hospital  team.     Date  of  service,  from 
May.  1862,  to   February,   1863.     Nature,  of  service,   teamster  for  regi 
mental  hospital ;  detailed  as  such  at  Springfield.  Missouri,  fall  of  1862. 
39 


306  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

COMPANY  D. 
LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  R.  SHKIVEK. 

Officer  issuing*  order,  Major  General  Fred.  Steele.  commanding  De 
partment  of  Arkansas.  Place  of  service,  detailed  on  recruiting  service 
for  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  December  28th,  1863,  from  Little  Rock,  Ark 
ansas.  Returned  to  same  place,  and  to  our  regiment,  having  recruited 
128.  men.  about  May  10th,  1864. 

COMPANY  E. 

LIEUTENANT  SILAS  R.  NUGEN. 

Order  issued  by  General  Frank  Herron.  Place  of  service,  Rolla. 
Missouri.  Nature  of  service,  command  section  of  artillery.  Detached 
August.  1863.  to  assist  Quartermaster  of  Third  Brigade.  General  Da 
vidson's  Cavalry  Division.  By  order  of  General  Davidson,  was  made 
(in  August,  1863,)  Quartermaster  of  Third  Brigade,  General  Davidson's 
Cavalry  Division  :  served  until  December.  1863.  December  1st,  by 
order  of  General  Fred.  Steele,  was  ordered  to  Jackson  Post,  Arkansas, 
to  act  as  Post  Quartermaster  ;  served  two  months.  In  January,  1864. 
by  order  of  Colonel  John  M.  Glover,  was  made  Brigade  Quartermaster 
of  Third  Brigade.  Cavalry  Division  ;  served  under  Colonel  Glover  until 
March  loth,  1864.  By  order  of  General  Carr  was  appointed  Quarter 
master  :  served  under  General  Carr  until  April  20th,  1864. 

LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  MCCLURE. 

By  order  of  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren,  sent  to  St.  Louis,  in  the 
summer  of  1862.  from  Butler,  for  indictments  and  papers  from  Provost 
Marshal  General  at  St.  Louis.  Have  no  date  ;  papers  lost. 

( COMPANY  F. 
CAPTAIN  J.  R.  ELLIOTT. 

Officer  issuing  order  Captain  William  E.  Leffingwell.  Company  B. 
Number  of  order.  No.  1.  Place  of  service.  Osceola.  Missouri.  Date 
of  service.  April  15th.  1S62.  Nature  of  service.  Provost  Marshal. 

LIEUTENANT  JAMES  C.  HUSKINS. 

Name  of  officer  issuing  order.  Colonel  James  O.  Gower.  Place  of 
service.  Davenport.  Iowa.  Date.  1H62.  Nature  of  service,  recruiting 
for  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

COMPANY  G. 

CAPTAIN  JAMES  D.  THOMPSON. 

Name  of  officer  issuing  order.  Major  General  Schofield.  Place  of 
service.  Butler,  Missouri.  Nature  of  service,  military  commission. 

LIEUTENANT  HENRY  GREGORY. 
Place  of    service,    east  of    Little  Rock.    Major   Chase   in    command. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  307 

Date  of  service,  after  taking  of  Little  Rock  by  Federal  troops.     Nature 
of  service,  recuperating  and  guarding  stock. 

COMPANY  H. 
CAPTAIN  RILEY  WESTCOATT. 

Major  General  Curtis.      All  my  war  records   were  captured   by  the 
enemy.     Place  of  service,  Jefferson  City,  Sedalia  and  Clinton,  Missouri. 
Nature  of  service.  Quartermaster's  department  at  post. 
LIEUTENANT  SAMUEL  T.  CRAIG. 

Detached  as  Ordnance  Officer  of  arsenal  for  a  short  time,  at  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas.  Detached  as  A.  A.  Quartermaster,  First  Brigade,  at 
same  place,  General  Cyrus  Bussey  commanding.  Detached  as  A.  A. 
Quartermaster.  Second  Brigade,  Cavalry  Division.  Colonel  William 
Thompson  commanding,  with  second  expedition  to  Camden,  Arkansas, 
January  2d,  1865,  General  E.  E.  Carr  commanding.  Detached  as  A. 
A.  A.  General  Cavalry  Division,  General  E.  D.  Osband  commanding,  at 
Memphis,  Tennessee.  Detached  as  A.  A.  Quartermaster  District  West 
Tennessee,  June  15th.  1865,  General  B.  S.  Roberts  commanding,  at 
Memphis,  Tennessee.  Detached  as  Ordnance  Officer.  June  loth,  1865, 
Memphis,  Tennessee.  General  B.  S.  Roberts  commanding.  Detached 
as  A.  A.  Quartermaster,  special  order  No.  109.  November  29th,  1865. 
General  Ouster  commanding.  Austin,  Texas,  to  proceed  to  Galveston, 
Texas,  to  procure  quartermaster  stores  and  clothing  and  camp  equipage 
for  troops  at  Austin,  Texas. 

COMPANY   K. 

CAPTAIN  ROBERT  L.  FREEMAN. 

Officer  issuing  order.  Colonel  H.  Bertram,  commanding  First  Brig 
ade.  Third  Division,  Seventh  Army  Corps.  Number  of  order,  unknown. 
Placa  of  service,  in  the  field  directly  after  battle  of  Prairie  Grove. 
Served  under  Colonel  Bertram,  Col.  Glover.  Colonel  Daniel  Anderson 
and  others  commanding  the  brigade.  Nature  of  service.  Acting  Assist 
ant  Adjutant  General.  Provost  Marshal.  Clinton,  several  months.  Cap 
tain  James  M.  Russell.  Officer  issuing  order.  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  W. 
Caldwell.  This  order  was  left  in  the  hands  of  Paymaster  Major  Smith. 
Place  of  service — first,  while  en  route  from  St.  Louis.  Missouri,  to  Dav 
enport,  Iowa  :  second,  Davenport,  Iowa,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wm. 
N.  Geer,  superintendent  of  recruiting  service  in  State  of  Iowa.  Date 
of  service.  May  15th,  1864,  to  June  20th,  1864.  Nature  of  service — 
first,  in  command  of  Company  B  ;  second,  in  charge  of  ordnance  and 
ordnance  stores  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  while  the  regiment  was  at 
home  on  veteran  furlough. 


308  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

LIEUTENANT  A.  L.  FREEMAN. 

Officer  issuing  order,  Colonel  Dan  Hueston.  Place  of  service  and 
with  whom,  Sedalia,  Missouri,  as  Assistant  Provost  Marshal,  with 
Lieutenant  Crissy.  Date  of  service,  in  the  spring  of  1863.  Also  at 
Osceola.  Missouri,  as  Quartermaster  and  Commissary,  in  the  summer  of 
1863,  by  order  of  Colonel  Warren  and  Major  Leffingwell.  some  two 
months. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT  CHARLES  DuBois. 

Officers  issuing  orders.  Brigadier  General  Sturgis  and  Major  General 
G.  A.  Custer.  Number  of  orders — first,  special  No.  1,  General  Sturgis  ; 
second,  special  order  No.  2.  Places  of  service — first,  Austin,  Texas  ; 
second.  San  Antonio,  Texas.  Dates  of  service — first,  December  4th, 

1865,  to  January  15th,  1866  ;  second,  January  15th,  1865.  to  February. 

1866.  Nature  of  service,  engineer  and  ordnance  officer. 

PRIVATE  FRANK  PEASE. 

Officer  issuing  order,  H.  H.  Heath.  Place  of  service  and  with  whom, 
Clinton.  Missouri ;  Provost  Marshal  and  Quartermaster.  Date  of  ser 
vice,  spring  of  1862.  Nature  of  service,  captured  the  forms  of  a  rebel 
paper,  and  printed  off  a  lot  of  papers  on  the  old  forms,  and  then  set  up 
the  other  side  with  intensely  Union  matter,  so  the  newspaper  presented 
the  anomaly  of  being  one  side  rebel  and  one  side  loyal.  (Papers  sold 
lively.)  Printing  Provost  Marshal  and  Quartermaster  blanks. 

COMPANY  L. 
CAPTAIN  D.  C.  MC!NTYRK. 

Name  of  officer  issuing  order.  Major  General  Halleck.  Number  of 
order-.  88,  headquarters.  Department  of  Missouri.  Place  of  service  and 
with  whom.  Captain  H.  B.  Hendershott,  Second  Artillery,  U.  S.  A.: 
superintendent  of  recruiting  service  for  the  State  of  Iowa.  Date.  July 
25th,  1862.  until  October  9th,  1862.  Nature  of  service.  A.  A.  Adjutant, 
A.  A.  Quartermaster  and  A.  A.  Commissary  of  the  recruiting  service 
for  the  State  of  Iowa,  at  Davenport,  Iowa.  Detached — officers  issuing 
order,  Lewis  Merrill.  Colonel  in  charge  of  West  Division  Cavalry  Bu 
reau,  and  Major  General  Rosecrans.  Number  of  order,  75.  Western 
Division  Cavalry  Bureau.  Number  of  order,  192,  headquarters  Depart 
ment  of  the  Missouri.  Date  of  service.  July  7th,  1864,  until  September 
2d,  1X64.  Nature  of  service.  A.  A.  Adjutant  General.  West  Division 
Cavalry  Bureau.  St.  Louis.  Missouri. 

LIEUTENANT  JAMES  M.  SIMERAL. 

Names  of  officers  issuing  orders,  General  Sturgis,  General  Herron. 
General  Fred.  Steele.  War  Department.  Colonel  Vincent.  Numbers  of 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  309 

orders,  all  burned.  Nature  of  service,  Assistant  Commissary  of  Muster, 
under  Colonel  Bonnefield,  Department  of  Missouri,  from  May,  1863,  to 
March,  1864  ;  court  martial,  June  or  July,  1862  ;  Commissary  of  Post 
at  Todd  Barracks,  Columbus,  Ohio,  about  the  10th  of  April,  1865. 

COMPANY  M. 
A.  D.  GASTON. 

Names  of  officers  issuing-  order,  Brig-adier  General  B.  S.  Roberts  and 
Brig-adier  General  Alf.  Sully.  Place  of  service,  Davenport,  Iowa. 
Date  of  service,  spring-  of  1862. 


PROMOTIONS. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 
COLONEL  Frrz  HENKY  WARREN. 
Promoted   Brigadier  General.      Brevet  Major  General. 

COLONEL  WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 
Promoted  March  13th,  1865,    Brevet  Brigadier  General. 

MAJOR  JAMES  D.  JENKS. 

Promoted  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  United  States  Volunteers, 
March  loth.  1865. 

MAJOR  W.  M.  G.  TOKKENCE. 
Promoted   Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Colonel   Thirtieth    Iowa  Infantry. 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  A.  G.  MCQUEEN. 

Promoted  Brevet  Colonel  and  Brigadier  General  United  States  Vol 
unteers. 

SURGEON  M.  B.  COCHRAN. 

Promoted  Assistant  Surgeon  United  States  Volunteers.  May  18th. 
1864.  Surgeon  United  States  Volunteers.  November  25th.  1864.  Bre 
vet  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  D.  B.  ALLEN. 
Promoted  April  10th,  1863.  Surgeon  Thirtieth   Iowa   Infantry. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  ASA  MORGAN. 

Promoted  May  12th,  1865,  Surgeon  Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry  Vol 
unteers. 

ADJUTANT  H.  L.  MORRILL. 
Promoted   Brevet  Captain  and  Major  United  States  Volunteers. 

COMPANY  A. 

JOSEPH  S.  VAN  SANT. 

Adjutant  First  Regiment  Arkansas  Infantry,  September  2d,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  31 1 

JOHN   MACK. 
Promoted    Captain    -  -   Regiment    Illinois  Volunteers,    October 

llth,   1861. 

HERMAN  J.  HUISKAMP. 

Promoted  Second  Lieutenant  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry,   March  20th, 

1863. 

AMBROSE  GALLAGHER. 
Promoted  May  26th,  1863,  Eleventh  Missouri  Cavalry. 

JOHN  HERWICK. 

Promoted  Fourth  Arkansas  Infantry,  A.  D. 
CHARLES  E.  Moss.  JR. 

Promoted  Second  Lieutenant  Forty-first  Missouri  Infantry,  Septem 
ber  4th,  1864. 

ZACHARIAH  E.  THOMAS. 
Promoted  March  24th,  186-,  to  Eleventh  Missouri  Cavalry. 

COMPANY  B. 
JOHN   M.  GATES. 

Promoted  First  Lieutenant  Company  A.    Sixth    Iowa  Cavalry.    Jan 
uary  31st.  1863. 

SIMON  J.  TOLL. 

Promoted    Second    Lieutenant    Sixth    Iowa  Cavalry,   January  31st. 
1863. 

ROBERT  W.  BODELL. 
To  accept  promotion. 

EZRA  J.  SMITH. 
Promoted  February  14th.  1865,  Twelfth  Missouri  Infantry. 

COMPANY  C. 
WILLIAM  P.  ALLEN. 

Promoted  to  Lieutenant  Sixty-seventh  United  States  Colored  Infantry. 

ANDREW  W.  WYMAN. 

Promoted   June  26th,    1864,    First    Lieutenant  Company  F,    Second 
Arkansas  Cavalry. 

THADDEUS  J.  DEAN. 

Promoted  September  12th,  1861,  Captain  in  BisselPs  Engineer  Regi 
ment  of  the  West. 

COMPANY  D. 
WILLIAM  H.  NEWMAN. 
Promoted  March  12th,  1863,  First  Arkansas  Infantry. 

DEWITT  C.  KELLY. 
Promoted  June  8th,  1864,  Hospital  Steward  U.  S.  A.      (Dead.) 


312  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ELIHU  G.  BARKER. 
Promoted  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  U.  8.  Infantry.  A.  D. 

EWAKTS  S.  EWING. 
Promoted  January  31st.  1865,  Captain  C.  8.  II.  8.  Volunteers. 

COMPANY  E. 
MORTIMER  B.  DARRELL, 

Promoted  November  1st,  1861,  to  Eighteenth  U.  8,  Infantry. 

COMPANY  F. 
RICHARD  L.  HOXIE. 

Promoted  June  15th,  1864.   Cadetship  at  West  Point. 

CHARLES  H.  THOMPSON. 
Promoted  Captain  C.  8.  U.  8.  Volunteers,  August  30th.  1863. 

COMPANY  G. 
HENRY  P.  GREGORY. 
Promoted   November  18th.  1864,  to  Fourth  Arkansas  Cavalry. 

COMPANY  I. 
JOHN  W.  MADISON. 

Promoted    May    llth,    1863.    Hospital    Steward,     Eighth    Missouri 
( 'avalry. 

COMPANY  K. 
FRANK  PEASE. 

Promoted    January    10th,    1864.   First    Lieutenant    Third    Arkansas 
( 'avalry. 

JAMES  A.  LYONS. 

Discharged    May    12th,    1862.    for  wounds.       Promoted    Lieutenant 
Company  A.  Twenty-seventh  Iowa  Infantry,  October  3d.  1862. 

GEORGE  E.  DAYTON. 

Promoted  January  31st.   1863.   Lieutenant  Company  C,   8ixth   Iowa 
Cavalry. 

WILLIAM  P.  BOWERS. 

Promoted    June    15th.    1864.    Assistant    8urgeon    Eighth    Missouri 
Cavalry. 

COMPANY  L. 
DANIEL  W.  MASON. 

Promoted    December    16th.    1863.    First    Lieutenant   and    Adjutant 
Third  Arkansas  Cavalry. 

NATHANIEL  W.  WELLIVER. 
Promoted  October  14th,  1864,  Lieutenant  Fourth  Arkansas  Cavalry. 


WALTER  S.  GRAY,  Co.  A. 

P.    P.    BURKHALL,    Co.    H. 


WALTER  S.  HANDLEV,    Co.  II 
D.  D.  BURNETT,  Co.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  313 

H.   H.  HEATH. 

Promoted  February  28th,  1863,  Major  Seventh  Iowa  Cavalry.  Col 
onel  same  regiment.  May  31st.  1865;  and  Brevet  Brigadier  General, 
March  13th.  1865. 

COMPANY  M. 

A.    D.   G ASTON. 

Promoted  Second  Lieutenant  Company  A,  Twenty-sixth  Iowa  In 
fantry. 


40 


NECROLOGY. 


"  THERE  is  a  reaper  whose  name  is  Death." 
"  And  by  the  cypresses  softly  o'ershadowed, 
Until  the  angel  calls  them,  they  slumber." 

It  would  perhaps  been  proper  to  have  included  a  -Roll  of  Honor'" 
of  the  names  of  those  who  sleep  in 

"  Those  low,  green  tents, 
Whose  curtains  never  outward  swing," 

but  what  greater  tribute  can  I  pay  than  your  historian  has  so  ably 
paid  them  in  the  preceding  pages.  •  •  They  were  active  in  the  greatest 
struggle  man  has  ever  waged  against  his  brother  ;  they  stood  where 
death  was  king  and  life  a  jest,  in  the  hour  of  liberty's  supremest  need, 
and  were  victors  in  a  cause  whose  success  sent  the  sunshine  of  hope 
into  the  face  of  men  of  every  clime  upon  whom  there  rested  the  heavy 
hand  of  oppression."  I  cannot  add  more. 

Since  the  close  of  the  war  many  have  answered  '«  Here"  to  the  last 
••  roll  call."  who  muster  now  beyond  the  starlit  line. 

"  He  sleeps,  but  wakes  elsewhere. 
For  God  has  said  Amen." 

"  Kest,  soldier  !    By  the  father's  hand 

Here  shall  the  child  of  after  years  be  led, 
With  his  wreath-offering  silently  to  stand 

In  the  hushed  presence  of  the  glorious  dead." 

An  effort  has  been  made  to  have  the  list  of  deaths  since  the  return 
of  the  cavalrymen  to  private  life,  as  nearly  complete  as  possible  :  but  it- 
is  difficult  either  to  learn  where  all  the  living  reside  and  follow  their 
changes,  or  to  ascertain  who  among  the  members  may  die  from  year  to 
year,  and  no  doubt  still  other  names  should  be  added  to  the  roster  of 
the  dead,  if  known.  VIRGINIA  LOTHROP. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  315 

DEATH  ROLL  SINCE  THE  WAR, 

AS  FAR  AS  KNOWN. 

Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren . 
€olonel  ,xJames  O.  Gower. 
Colonel  J.  W,  Caldwell. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  E.  Moss. 
Surgeon  Charles  Henry  Lothrop. 
Assistant  Surgeon  Thomas  B.  Drake. 
Assistant  Surgeon  John  J.  Saunders. 
Hospital  Steward  Edward  Winters. 
Battalion  Adjutant  Joseph  S.  EdsalL 
Chaplain  James  W.  Latham. 
Chaplain  James  S.  Rand. 
Acting  Sergeant  Major  Thomas  Marsh. 
Captain  R.  M*  Reynolds,  Company  A. 
Captain  William  E.  Leffingwell.  Company  B. 
Captain  Amos  Dilley,  Company  I. 
Captain  Thomas  H.  Barnes.  Company  K. 
Captain  H.  H.  Heath,  Company  L. 
Captain  W'illiam  Ankeny.  Company  M. 
Captain  Solomon  Townsend.  Company  M. 
Lieutenant  John  R.  Marshall,  Company  A. 
Lieutenant  A.  P.  Boyce.  Company  A. 
Lieutenant  Jacob  Hursh,  Company  D. 
Lieutenant  George  E.  Ives.  Company  E. 
Lieutenant  Warren  Y.  Reeves.  Company  L. 
Musician  Gamaliel  B,  Williams. 
Farrier  William  Mann. 
John  Herwick.  Company  A. 
William  H.  Carey,  Company  A. 
Albin  Blood.  Company  A. 
Prentice  K.  Tuttle,  Company  A. 
Jonathan  Ford,  Company  A. 
Benjamin  Blair,  Company  A. 
E.  Hollingsworth.  Company  A. 
L.  B.  Wisby,  Company  A. 
W.  L.  Soper,  Company  B. 
Charles  E.  Crocker,  Company  B. 
Orrin  B.  Crane,  Company  B. 
Francis  Bias,  Company  B. 


316  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

H.  B.  Stockwell,  Company  B. 
William  C.  Brown,  Company  C. 
Hiram  Brown,  Company  C. 
Jesse  Slough,  Company  D. 
Bay  lisa  E.  Lake,  Company  D. 
Whitman  Corey,  Company  D. 
U.  C.  Kelley,  Company  D. 
W.  A.  Davis,  Company  E. 
L.  8.  Drinkwater,  Company  G. 
John  Gebhart.  Company  G. 
James  Stone.  Company  G. 
Stephen  G.  Rice,  Company  G. 
James  Craig,  Company  H. 
Henry  C.  Harlan,  Company  1. 
George  W.  Priest  Company  I. 
Noah  W.  Briels.  Company  I. 
Andrew  Brownson.  Company  L. 
Thomas  Rhatigan,  Company  L. 
Louis  LaFrance.  Company  L. 
Martin  V.  Lillie.  Company  L. 
John  Wilson,  Company  M. 
J.  H.  Tierney.  Company  M. 
J.  H.  Tietjens.  Company  M. 


PERSONAL  SKETCHES. 


SURGEON  CHAS.  H.  LOTHROP. 

The  author  of  this  book  deserves  prominence  among1  those  of  whom 
personal  sketches  are  in  the  volume,  both  on  account  of  his  service  with 
the  First  Cavalry  Regiment  of  Iowa  and  because  of  his  labors  in  massing 
its  history  within  reasonable  compass  and  within  the  reach  of  all.  A 
correspondent  wrote  him,  when  the  task  was  assumed,  that  he  was  not 
the  right  man  for  historian  of  the  regiment,  because  he  would  not  do  him 
self  justice.  The  remark  was  correct,  and  yet.  in  all  other  respects,  un 
doubtedly  Surgeon  Lothrop  was  the  most  competent  man  in  the  organi 
zation  to  chronicle  its  patriotic  deeds  of  heroic  years.  His  abilities  and 
methods  of  observation,  his  position  and  habit  of  making-  notes,  added 
to  his  brotherly  regard  for  and  intense  admiration  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
command,  rendered  him  the  fittest  man  for  the  work — a,  labor  of  love 
and  of  life  indeed  to  him,  and  of  gratification  to  his  compatriots. 

The  paragraphs  following  are  from  different  pens — written  by  a 
professional  associate,  a  comrade  of  the  war,  and  a  citizen  friend,  (a 
portion  of  the  latter1  s  having  before  appeared  in  print, ) — but  altogether 
are  very  inadequate  to  the  occasion. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Charles  Henry  Lothrop,  M.  D.,  was  born 
at  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  September  3d,  1831.  He  was  of  English 
descent,  and  could  proudly  trace  his  lineage  back  through  Rev.  John 
Lothrop.  who  arrived  in  this  country  September  18th,  1634.  to  the  time 
of  Richard  the  Second. 

After  passing  through  the  Taunton  high  school  and  the  University 
grammar  school,  he  entered  Brown  University  and  there  fitted  himself 
for  the  study  of  his  chosen  profession,  leaving  Brown  University  be 
fore  completing  his  course,  to  accept  the  position  of  superintendent  of 


318  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

schools  at  Youngstown,  Ohio,  which  position  he  held  for  a  year.  He 
then  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  the  City  of 
New  York,  and  after  two  years  of  professional  study  graduated  from 
that  institution  June  30th,  1858.  He  located  in  Lyons,  Iowa,  in  July 
of  the  same  year,  and  at  once  took  an  eminent  position  among1  the  phy 
sicians,  and  by  his  studies,  investigations  and  writings  was  known  to 
the  profession  throughout  the  State  as  a  man  of  ability  in  his  calling. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  Governor  Kirk  wood  appointed 
him  Additional  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  After 
ward  he  was  promoted  to  be  Assistant  Surgeon,  and  upon  the  retire 
ment  of  Surgeon  Cochran  was  promoted  to  be  Surgeon  of  that  regi 
ment,  which  position  he  held  until  its  final  muster  out  in  March,  1866. 

The  ripe  experience  gained  during  the  five  years  of  service  in  the 
army,  added  to  the  firm  foundation  laid  by  his  early  studies,  eminently 
fitted  him  upon  his  return  home  to  become  one  of  the  foremost  surgeons 
of  the  day — a  rank  which  he  maintained  to  the  day  of  his  death  ;  and 
it  is  an  evidence  of  the  mental  superiority  of  the  man,  that,  in  spite  of 
the  terrible  affliction  which  he  suffered — the  germs  of  which  were  con 
tracted  during  those  days  of  marching  and  nights  of  exposure  which 
are  so  clearly  depicted  in  the  foregoing  pages,  and  which  for  seventeen 
long  years  made  bis  life  such  a  torture  as  none  can  conceive  but  those 
who  were  with  him  and  attended  him,  and  which  he  knew  could  only 
end  in  death — he  could  take  such  an  interest  in  his  profession  as  to 
maintain  such  a  position.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Lyons,  Iowa,  Feb 
ruary  6th,  1890. 

The  foregoing  history,  written  by  the  regimental  historian,  the  late 
iMajor  and  Surgeon  Charles  H.  Lothrop,  contains  little  mention  of  him 
self  or  his  personal  services  while  Surgeon  of  our  regiment.  To  me 
has  been  assigned  this  pleasant  yet  sad  duty.  I  feel  that  others  more 
able  than  myself  should  have  undertaken  this,  and  yet  none  can  have 
a  greater  love  or  kinder  remembrances  of  our  dear  comrade  than  the 
writer.  Being  but  a  boy  when  in  the  service,  I  shall  always  remember 
the  many  kind  words  spoken  to  me  by  him  and  the  attention  I  re 
ceived  at  his  hands. 

Comrade  Lothrop  was  greatly  beloved  by  every  member  of  his  regi 
ment.  I  am  safe  in  saying  that  no  regiment  in  the  Union  army  received 
better  care  at  the  hands  of  their  Surgeon  than  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
while  in  charge  of  Dr.  Lothrop.  Always  with  the  boys,  whether  on  the 
battle  field,  the  march,  in  the  camp  or  hospital — during  his  four  years 
of  service  he  was  on  duty  in  fifty-two  engagements— ever  present,  with 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  319 

nothing"  but  kind  words  and  loving1  hands  to  minister  to  their  wants. 
An  ardent  patriot,  a  true  friend,  a  faithful  surgeon,  a  man  whose  kind 
ness  of  heart  was  exceeded  only  by  his  ability  as  a  physician  and  sur 
geon,  • '  his  boys  "  will  ever  remember  in  kindness  the  many  sacrifices 
he  made  for  them. 

General  Burdett  says  :  "I  desire  to  express  my  great  admiration 
for  the  many  qualities  of  his  character  which  made  him  a  ma,n  quite 
above  the  common  level  of  our  kind.  No  truer  patriot,  no  braver  sol 
dier,  no  kindlier  man  than  Dr.  Lothrop,  was  to  be  found  among  the 
survivors  of  the  great  struggle  in  which  he  won  the  love  and  admiration 
of  his  comrades.1' 

The  truth  of  Comrade  Burdett1  s  assertion  can  be  testified  to  by  all 
survivors  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Courteous  to  all,  the  humblest 
private  received  the  same  consideration  at  his  hands  as  did  the  Major 
General  commanding  the  department.  No  officer  in  the  regiment  was 
more  active  than  he  to  relieve  the  regiment  of  the  dishonor  cast  upon 
it  by  General  Custer.  While  some  were  evidently  afraid  to  express 
their  opinions,  Comrade  Lothrop  was  outspoken  and  fearless  of  the  re 
sult.  Reporting  the  matter  to  the  Governor  of  Iowa,  he  was  largely 
instrumental  in  causing  the  court  martial  of  Custer  and  his  retirement 
for  a  year  from  the  army. 

What  more  can  be  said  of  our  comrade  than  this  ?  He  was  beloved 
by  all,  and  gave  his  life  for  the  boys  he  loved  so  well.  Ever  anxious 
to  relieve  their  suffering,  he  by  over-work  and  exposure  contracted  the 
disease  which  caused  such  terrible  suffering  the  last  twenty  years  of  his 
life  and  culminated  in  his  death.  Mourned  by  all  lovers  of  the  Union, 
he  will  be  sadly  missed  by  all  his  old  comrades,  in  whose  interest  he 
labored  so  long  and  faithfully.  May  he  rest  in  peace. 

The  Doctor  was  a  prominent  figure  in  Lyons,  professionally  and  per 
sonally,  for  thirty  years,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  paralysis  de 
prived  him  of  the  use  of  his  lower  limbs  seventeen  years  ago.  Under 
this  disadvantage  he  has,  by  indomitable  will,  and  as  a  consequence  of 
his  acknowledged  skill  as  physician  and  surgeon,  attended  to  a  large 
office  practice  most  of  the  time,  besides  discharging  the  duties  of  Ex 
amining  Surgeon  for  Pensions  :  and  further,  has  compiled  and  issued 
State  Medical  Directories,  and  performed  other  autorial  labors.  His 
latest,  most  valuable  and  most  laborious  literary  achievement  has  been 
the  writing  of  a  history  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  which,  with  the  help 
of  his  wife  as  amanuensis,  after  years  of  correspondence  and  investiga 
tion,  was  practically  completed  a  few  weeks  before  his  death. 


320  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

From  --A  Genealogical  Memoir  of  the  La-Lothrop  Family,11  pub 
lished  in  1884,  though  in  part  tautological,  we  extract:  ''Dr.  Lothrop 
is  a  member  of  the  Iowa  and  Illinois  Central  Medical  Association,  the 
Iowa  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  has  also  been  an  efficient  President  of  the  Clinton  County  Medical 
Society,  a  member  of  the  Examining  Committee  of  the  Medical  Depart 
ment1  Iowa  State  University,  and  since  1868  an  Examining  Surgeon  for 
Pensions.  He  is  author  of  the  Medical  and  Surgical  Directory  of  Iowa, 
and  has  written  several  medical  essays,  some  of  which  have  been  pub 
lished  in  the  Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal.11 

He  was  a  member  of  Colonel  N.  B.  Howard  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  De 
Witt,  a  member  of  the  military  order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  and  the 
"Chaiies  H.  Lothrop  Camp.  Sons  of  Veterans,'1  of  Dysart,  Iowa,  was 
named  after  him — which  honor  he  reciprocated  by  the  presentation  of 
a  superb  banner. 

Dr.  Lothrop  was  a  man  of  earnest  convictions  and  strong  feelings, 
and  like  all  such  men  made  hearty  friends  and  bitter  enemies.  At  his 
best,  he  was  an  intense  patriot  whose  ardor  continued  to  the  end  ;  a 
faithful  comrade,  rendering  his  work  on  the  history  of  his  regiment  a 
genuine  labor  of  love  ;  an  unfaltering  and  valued  friend  where  he  was 
friendly  ;  and  at  the  close  was  moved  to  the  depths  of  his  heart  with 
gratitude  for  the  hourly  care  given  him  by  his  wife  for  nearly  a  score 
of  years,  which  unremitted  attention  alone  made  life  tolerable. 

Upon  no  other  Army  Surgeon  have  we  ever  heard  so  much  praise 
bestowed  by  soldiers  as  upon  Dr.  Lothrop — and  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
passed  through  many  scenes  where  the  worth  of  Surgeon  as  well  as 
fighting  men  was  fully  tried — and  his  proudest  memento  was  the  regard 
of  the  men  with  whom  he  had  encountered  the  dangers  of  war.  and 
many  of  whom  he  had  rescued  from  death. 

REGISTER  OF  SERVICE. 

In  Department  of  Missouri,  from  May  26th  to  September  20th,  1862. 
In  Army  of  Southwest  Missouri,  from  September  28th  to  October  16th, 

1862.  In  Army  of  the  Frontier,  from  October  16th,  1862,  to  June  5th, 

1863.  With  Arkansas  expedition,  from  June  5th,  and  in  Army  of  Ark 
ansas  and  Seventh  Army  Corps,  Cavalry  Division,  from  December,  1863, 
to  May.    1864.      In   Department  of  Missouri,    from  July  to   December, 
1863.      In  Department  of  Arkansas,  January,  1865.     In  District  of  West 
Tennessee,  from  February  to  June,  1865.     In  Division  of  the  Gulf,  from 
June  23d  to  February  15th,  1866. 

( )n  detached  service,  in  charge  of  Post  Hospital  at  Clinton,  Missouri. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  321 

May  26th,  1862.  Medical  Director  Army  of  the  Frontier,  December 
10th,  1862,  and  in  charge  of  Field  Hospital  at  Fayetteville,  Arkansas. 
Member  of  Medical  Board  to  examine  qualifications  of  an  Assistant 
Surgeon,  May  27th,  1863.  In  charge  of  the  Bloomfield  General  Field 
Hospital,  July  17th,  1863.  President  of  Medical  Board  for  examina 
tion  of  cavalrymen  recommended  for  discharge  for  disability,  October 
13th,  1863.  Assigned  to  duty  in  Seventh  Army  Corps  Hospital,  April 
7th,  1864.  Senior  Surgeon  of  brigade,  October  13th,  1864.  Surgeon- 
in-Chief  of  Cavalry  Division,  January  22d,  1865.  Senior  Surgeon  of 
brigade,  April,  1865.  President  of  Medical  Board  for  examination  of 
officers  and  enlisted  men,  August  2d,  1865.  In  charge  of  hospital 
steamer  Starlight  to  New  Orleans,  August  7th.  1865.  Senior  Surgeon 
of  brigade,  February  7th,  1866. 

— Desultory. and  lacking  as  these  tributes  to  Surgeon  Lothrop  but 
profess  to  be,  full  acknowledgment  of  the  intelligent  and  indispensable 
supervision  of  publication  by  Mrs.  Lothrop  should  here  be  made  by  As 
sociation  committee  and  printer.  In  the  preparation  of  the  history,  and 
more  and  more  as  the  work  advanced,  and  as  his  powers  failed,  she 
had  been  feet  and  hands,  eyes  and  pen  to  the  author  ;  and  when  no 
longer  able  to  direct  the  final  details,  he  was  fully  content  to  constitute 
his  co-laborer  his  literary  legatee — and  the  wisdom  of  his  trust  is  at 
tested  by  the  unusual  completeness  and  correctness  of  his  great  work. 

SARAH  VIRGINIA  LOTHROP.  born  at  Gettysburgh,  Pennsylvania,  De 
cember  26th,  1840.  Married  to  Charles  Henry  Lothrop  May  6th,  1873. 
Widowed  February  6th,  1890. 

COLONEL  DANIEL  ANDERSON. 

Was  born  April  5th,  1821,  in  Monroe  county.  Indiana,  and  raised  on  a 
farm,  with  the  ordinary  limited  means  for  education  incident  to  a  newly 
settled  country.  After  his  majority  he  improved  his  education  for  two 
years  in  a  better  class  of  schools,  and  then  taught  school  and  read  law 
until  1847,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar-,  and  came  to  Iowa  in  Feb 
ruary,  1848  ;  stopped  at  Keokuk  one  year,  and  on  May  1st,  1849,  settled 
permanently  at  Albia,  Monroe  county,  Iowa,  and  commenced  the  prac 
tice  of  his  profession.  On  October  14th,  1849,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Amanda  M.  Harrow,  who  is  now  his  wife  and  mother  of  his  five  stal 
wart  sons,  (and  a  daughter  and  son  dead. ) 

He  was  elected  State  Senator  August,  1854,  and  again  in  October, 
1858 — was  in  six  sessions,  the  last  one,  May,  1861;  and  same  month 
volunteered  and  helped  to  raise  the  old  regiment.  Served  as  Captain 

of  Company  H   from   its   organization  until  he  was  made  Major.  July 
41 


322  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

10th,  1862  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel,  February  13th,  1863  ;  Colonel,  August 
21st,  1863,  and  so  remained  until  discharged  for  disability  about  June 
1st  1864.  Was  a  Lincoln  Elector  in  fall  of  1864.  Was  offered  a  nomi 
nation  for  Congress,  but  could  not  accept  on  account  of  ill  health.  Was 
Register  in  Bankruptcy  after  1867  for  several  years.  He  thinks  better 
of  his  three  years'  service  with  the  old  regiment  than  any  other  three 
years  of  his  life. 

COLONEL  WILLIAM  THOMPSON. 

Was  born  in  Manallen  township,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  No 
vember  10th.  1813.  Was  moved  to  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  in  the  spring 
of  1817.  and  was  moved  into  the  wilderness,  where  the  old  Thompson 
homestead — since  made — now  stands  ;  where  he  lived  and  worked  until 
after  twenty-one  years  old.  His  early  education  was  limited,  having 
attended  only  six  winter  (three  months')  common  schools,  taught 
mainly  by  the  old-time  Irish  schoolmaster.  He  read  law  and  other 
studies  with  Columbus  Delano,  and  in  three  years  and  a  half  was  cred 
itably  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio. 

In  1839  he  went  to  Iowa,  where  he  attained  many  unanticipated  civic 
and  military  distinctions. 

MAJOR  LEV  I  CHASE. 

Was  born  October  23d,  1823.  in  Washington  county,  State  of  Maine. 
(Graduated  at  the  Collegiate  Institute  at  Nunda,  State  of  New  York,  in 
April,  1846.  By  profession  an  attorney  at  law.  At  the  commencement 
of  the  war  was  practicing  his  profession  in  Louisa  county,  Iowa.  Mus 
tered  into  the  service  with  the  regiment  as  Captain  of  Company  C.  Was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  post  of  Osceola.  and  the  southern  divis 
ion  of  Colonel  Warren's  District  of  Missouri,  in  the  spring  of  1862.  and 
held  this  command  until  the  fall  of  that  year,  when  the  post  was  vaca 
ted,  and  the  regiment  joined  General  James  G.  Blunt,  First  Division 
Army  of  Southwest  Missouri,  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  and  moved  south 
into  Arkansas.  Was  commissioned  as  Major  February  1st,  1863,  and 
after  the  capture  of  Little  Rock.  Arkansas,  was  by  the  order  of  the 
General  commanding  assigned  to  the  command  of  Remount  Camp,  at 
Little  Rock,  established  for  the  purpose  of  remounting  the  cavalry  di 
vision,  and  putting  it  in  condition  for  service.  He  held  this  command 
until  February  12th.  1864.  when  he  was  mustered  out  on  the  Surgeon's 
certificate  of  disability.  Broken  down  in  health  by  exposure  in  the 
service,  unable  to  engage  in  active  business,  he  removed  to  the  State  of 
California  and  settled  at  San  Diego  in  that  State  :  and  having  there  re 
covered  his  health,  commenced  and  continued  the  practice  of  bis  pro- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  323 

fession  until  January,  1888,  when  he  retired  from  active  business  to 
enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  under  the  sunny  skies  of  his  chosen  home, 
protected  by  the  just  and  generous  Government  that  he  had  helped  to 
save  from  dissolution. 

SURGEON  MILTON   B.  COCHRAN. 

Milton  B.  Cochran.  M.  D. ,  was  born  in  Cambridge.  Franklin  county, 
Vermont,  June  7th,  1828.  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Milan,  Erie 
county,  Ohio,  in  1836.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
his  grandfather  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Vermont  volunteers  in  the  Rev 
olutionary  war. 

The  early  education  of  Dr.  Cochran  was  obtained  in  the  district 
schools  and  the  Huron  Institute  in  Milan.  Ln  1849  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  L.  Galpin,  of  Milan,  and  graduated  from 
the  medical  department  of  the  Western  Reserve  College,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  in  1851.  After  his  graduation  he  went  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio, 
where  he  resided  until  1854.  when  he  moved  to  Iowa  City,  Iowa. 

He  enlisted  in  what  became  Company  F.  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  in 
April,  1861,  and  upon  the  organization  of  the  regiment  he  was  commis 
sioned  Surgeon.  He  served  with  the  regiment  until  November,  1862. 
when  he  was  detached  to  serve  as  Medical  Director  of  the  Third  Divis 
ion  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier.  He  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Fron 
tier  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements  from  its  organization  until  it 
was  disbanded,  and  was  appointed  Medical  Director  of  that  army  in 
March,  1863.  In  June,  1863,  he  was  ordered  to  accompany  Major 
General  Herron  to  Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  as  Surgeon-in-Chief  of  the 
left  wing  of  the  investing  forces.  After  the  capture  of  Vicksburg  he 
accompanied  the  army  to  Yazoo,  Port  Hudson,  Morganza  and  New 
( Means. 

At  his  own  request,  in  October  he  was  ordered  to  rejoin  the  First 
Iowa,  then  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.  Arriving  at  Little  Rock  late  in 
November,  he  was  at  once  assigned  to  the  Cavalry  Division  of  the  Sev 
enth  Corps,  under  Brigadier  General  Davidson,  as  Surgeon-in-Chief.  in 
which  position  he  remained  until  March  following.  When  the  army 
under  Major  General  Steele  commenced  the  Camden  expedition,  he  was 
assigned  Medical  Director  of  the  Seventh  Corps  in  the  field.  After  the 
army  reached  Camden.  Arkansas,  Surgeon  Cochran  was  ordered  to  ac 
company  a  detachment  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry  and  the 
Seventy-seventh  Ohio  to  Pine  Bluff,  to  obtain  supplies  for  the  army  ; 
and  on  the  25th  of  April  the  escort,  consisting  of  about  1,500  infantry, 
two  sections  of  artillery,  and  one  company  of  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Colonel  Drake,  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Iowa,  was  attacked  by  a  large  body 
of  rebel  cavalry  under  Major  General  Fegan.  fresh  from  the  repulse  of 
,Major  General  Banks  on  Red  river,  and  the  entire  command,  except  a 
few  of  the  cavalry,  after  a  most  stubborn  fight  was  killed  or  captured. 
Of  the  artillery  every  man  and  horse  was  killed  or  wounded.  The  reb 
els  held  the  field.  After  a  week  of  captivity,  Surgeon  Oochran  was  re 
leased  on  the  promise  that  he  would  send  hospital  supplies  for  the 
wounded,  (about  500  in  all, )  both  Union  and  rebel  forces  being  desti 
tute.  Two  days  after  Surgeon  Cochran  reached  Pine  Bluff,  sent  back 
the  supplies  promised,  and  went  to  Little  Rock,  where  he  joined  the 
First  Iowa  again,  to  return  to  Iowa  on  veteran  furlough. 

In  May.  1864.  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon  United  States 
Volunteers,  but  his  commission  did  not  reach  him  until  the  August  fol 
lowing,  when  he  resigned  as  Surgeon  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and 
was  assigned  to  hospital  duty  at  Jefferson  Barracks.  Missouri. 

In  September  he  was  appointed  Chief  of  the  Medical  Examining  Board 
of  Surgeons,  and  sent  to  Benton  Barracks.  The  duty  of  the  board  was 
to  examine  all  drafted  men  and  substitutes  of  the  Department  of  the 
Missouri.  The  circular  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  directing 
the  Surgeon  General  to  establish  these  Examining  Boards,  directed  that 
the  medical  officers  constituting  them  "  should  be  selected  so  as  to  give 
some  of  the  best  talent  of  the  medical  corps  for  the  especial  purpose  of 
examining  recruits." 

Surgeon  Cochran  remained  at  Benton  Barracks  as  long  as  the  board 
was  in  existence,  and  was  then  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the  military 
hospital  at  Alton.  Illinois.  In  April  he  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of 
the  General  Hospital  at  Benton  Barracks.  Missouri,  where  he  remained 
until  November.  1865.  when  he  was  ordered  to  Iowa  City  to  be  mus 
tered  out  of  service.  In  May  he  was  commissioned  Surgeon  of  United 
States  Volunteers,  and  on  November  1st.  1865.  he  was  appointed  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  by  brevet. 

In  1866  he  removed  from  Iowa  City  to  Davenport,  where  he  resided 
until  1884.  when  he  removed  to  Shawano.  Wisconsin.  In  1890  he  re 
turned  to  Iowa  City,  his  present  home. 

He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of  Iowa, 
of  which  he  was  two  years  corresponding  secretary;  was  president  of 
the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society  in  1863  :  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science  in  1889  ;  and  has 
always  been  an  active  member  of  the  local  medical  and  scientific  organ 
izations  in  places  in  which  he  has  resided. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  325 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  ASA  MORGAN. 

Dr.  Asa  Morgan  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  the  22d  day  of  Feb 
ruary,  1826.  In  the  fall  of  1833  his  father  removed  to  Indiana  and 
settled  at  Thornton,  Boone  county,  the  town  at  this  time  being  the  re 
mains  of  an  old  Indian  village,  with  many  of  the  cabins  still  standing 
and  serving  the  new-comers  for  shelter  until  they  could  build  better- 
ones.  He  endured  the  hardships  and  privations  of  frontier  life,  and 
lived  to  see  the  place  grow  into  a  flourishing  town,  with  good  schools, 
churches,  stores,  etc. ,  when  his  father  migrated  with  his  family  to  Iowa 
in  the  fall  of  1846.  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Davenport.  The  coming 
winter  he  taught  school  in  Rockingham.  Iowa.  He  was  now  in  his  21st 
year.  He  taught  three  successive  winters,  reading  medicine  at  inter 
vals,  and  working  on  his  father's  farm  during  summers. 

He  read  medicine  under  Dr.  Wm.  H.  White,  of  Davenport,  during 
the  winter  of  1849-50.  and  attended  a  partial  course  of  lectures  at  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  located 
there  at  the  time.  He  took  his  next  course  at  Rush  Medical  College. 
Chicago,  at  the  session  of  1850-51.  He  attended  his  last  course  at  the 
Iowa  University  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa, 
session  1851-52,  when  he  graduated  at  the  close,  and  located  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  at  De  Witt,  Iowa,  in  March,  same  year. 

He  married  the  only  daughter  of  Mr.  C.  A.  Isbel.  in  November,  1854. 
In  the  fall  of  1857  he  removed  with  his  family,  and  located  in  the  prac 
tice  of  his  profession  at  Pacific  City.  Mills  county.  Iowa.  When  the 
discovery  of  gold  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  was  first  made  known,  he 
with  many  others  living  on  the  frontier  immediately  made  ready,  and 
started  on  a  trip  to  the  auriferous  fields  early  in  1859.  After  arriving 
there  and  prospecting  a  few  weeks  in  the  mountains,  he  made  up  his 
mind  that  gold  digging  there  could  not  be  made  to  pay  without  the  ex 
penditure  of  large  capital,  and  thereupon  he  returned  to  the  States  the 
same  summer,  settled  up  his  business  at  his  new  home  on  the  Missouri 
river,  and  returned  to  his  old  home  at  De  Witt,  Iowa,  where  he  pur 
sued  the  practice  of  medicine  until  August,  1861,  when  he  received  a 
commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Seventh  Iowa  Regiment  Infant 
ry  Volunteers,  and  joined  his  regiment  same  month  at  Iron  Mountain  : 
was  with  it  on  duty — overworked  much  of  the  time,  and  enduring  many 
hard  marches  and  suffering  from  the  privations  and  disadvantages  of 
soldiering  at  the  commencement  of  the  war — he  fell  sick,  and  finally 
became  so  debilitated  and  broken  down  in  health,  that  soon  after  the 
first  battle  of  Corinth  he  resigned,  the  last  of  June.  1862,  and  returned 


326  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

home  with  a  shattered  and  broken  constitution.  After  remaining  home 
some  two  years,  and  health  much  improved,  through  the  influence  of 
his  tried  and  true  friend  of  many  years.  Dr.  C.  H.  Lothrop,  then  Sur 
geon  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  Volunteers,  the  Governor  of  Iowa  com 
missioned  him  Assistant  Surgeon  of  that  regiment,  in  December,  1864, 
with  which  he  remained  in  that  capacity  only  a  few  months,  when  he 
was  promoted,  and  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  Illinois  Surgeon 
of  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Regiment  Cavalry  Volunteers,  in  June.  1865. 
and  served  with  that  regiment  until  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Houston,  Texas,  in  May,  1866,  and  became  a  citizen  of 
Texas,  buying  a  farm  on  Cedar  Bayou,  near  Galveston  Bay,  where  he 
now  resides  and  still  follows  the  vocation  of  his  calling. 

ADJUTANT  H.  L.  MORRILL. 

Born  at  Guilford,  Somerset  county,  Maine,  April  4th,  1836.  Emi 
grated  with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in  1837,  and  to  Iowa  in  January, 
1841.  Educated  in  private  and  common  schools  and  academies  of  Iowa. 
Enlisted  in  the  volunteer  service  during  the  rebellion,  in  the  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  June  13th,  1861.  Mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  First  Lieu 
tenant  and  Adjutant,  and  brevet  Major,  March  15th,  1866.  Entered 
railway  service  July,  1870,  and  in  such  service  contiuously  until  the 
present  time— now,  November  1st,  1889,  Second  Vice  President  and 
General  Manager  of  the  St.  Louis  and  San  Francisco  Railway  Company. 
Residence  and  address,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

ADJUTANT  DAVID  A.  KERR. 

Was  born  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  August  7th,  1838.  Enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  A,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  June  13th.  1861,  and  mus 
tered  in  as  first  sergeant  Company  A,  July  30th,  1861.  Promoted  Ad 
jutant  of  the  First  Battalion,  October  7th.  1861.  Was  in  the  engage 
ment  at  Silver  Creek,  Missouri,  January  8th,  1862,  and  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  right  arm  at  Big  Creek  Cliffs,  Cass  county,  Missouri. 
July  llth,  1862.  Promoted  Adjutant  of  the  regiment  October  1st,  1862. 
Was  with  the  command  at  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Arkansas,  December 
7th,  1862.  His  wound  incapacitating  him  for  field  duty,  he  tendered  his 
resignation  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  which  was  accepted 
February  6th,  1863.  Returned  to  place  of  enlistment,  Keokuk,  Iowa, 
and  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  has  resided  there  ever  since. 

O.  P.  SALA — COMPANY  A. 

Was  born  in  Bee  Town,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  December  22d, 
1845.  His  father,  E.  M.  Sala,  was  a  physician  practicing  medicine. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  327 

His  mother's  name  before  marriage  was  Susan  Schellanburger.  In 
1852  his  father  moved  to  Ashley,  Pike  county,  Missouri.  He  moved  his 
family  out  on  a  farm  three  miles  from  town,  and  he  remained  in  the 
town  with  his  father,  who  was  a  physician,  but  too  old  to  practice  medi 
cine,  and  remained  in  the  office  and  drug-  store.  He  remained  there 
about  two  years,  and  then  moved  to  West  Point.  Lee  county,  Iowa. 
Here  he  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  going  to  school,  attending-  the  West 
Point  Collegiate  School  three  or  four  years. 

In  the  summer  of  1861  he  ran  away  from  home  and  enlisted  in 
Fletcher's  flying-  artillery,  which  was  located  at  Bur  ling-ton,  Iowa.  Be 
ing-  quite  young-,  his  father  took  him  out  of  the  battery.  He  remained 
at  home  until  the  next  spring  and  went  to  school.  Then  he  went  to 
Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  got  a  position  in  the  Estis  House  Hospital  as  wound 
dresser  of  the  first  ward.  Remained  there  until  August,  when  he  en 
listed  in  the  Thirtieth  Iowa  Infantry,  but  on  the  31st  of  August  was 
transferred  to  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Joined  the  regiment  at  Twin 
Springs  just  before  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove.  On  the  1st  of  January, 

1864,  he   re-enlisted   as  a  veteran  volunteer,  for  three  years  or  during 
the   war,  and  came  home  on  a  veteran  furlough  ;    in  May  was  sent  to 
the  Keokuk  Hospital  with  the  ague,  and  remained  there  until  February. 

1865,  when   he   rejoined   his   regiment  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  then 
went  to  Texas  with  General  Custer.  and  was   mustered  out  at   Austin, 
Texas,  February  15th.  1866. 

When  he  returned  home  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  again,  and 
during  the  summer  of  1866  went  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  got  a  position 
in  Dr.  Sanford's  Surgical  Infirmary,  and  during  the  winter  he  attended 
what  was  then  called  the  Iowa  State  Medical  University.  In  the  spring 
of  1867  he  was  married  to  the  girl  who  remained  true  to  him  while  he 
was  fighting  for  his  country,  Miss  Ina  Stewart,  of  West  Point,  Lee 
county,  Iowa.  During  the  summer,  fall  and  spring  of  1867-68  his  wife 
taught  school  and  he  returned  to  Keokuk  and  finished  his  medical  edu 
cation,  and  then  located  in  Franklin  Center,  Iowa,  and  practiced  medi 
cine  until  the  next  spring,  when  he  moved  to  Bloomington,  Grant 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  has  lived  .  ever  since.  In  1880  his  wife 
died,  leaving  him  with  four  boys.  In  1881  he  was  married  to  Alice 
Bo  wen.  and  has  two  daughters  by  her,  by  adoption.  He  is  now  in  his 
44th  year,  and  in  good  health,  all  but  the  rheumatism  in  his  back, 
caused  from  the  ague  while  in  the  United  States  service.  Is  a  mem 
ber  of  Will  Hickok  Post,  No.  134,  G.  A.  R.,  located  at  Bloomington, 
Wisconsin,  and  a  member  of  Bloomington  Lodge,  No.  159,  I.  O.  O.  F. ; 


328  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

also  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge,  No.  146,  A.  F.  and  A.  M..  of  Bee 
Town,  Wisconsin,  and  of  the  Chapter  at  Lancaster,  and  of  the  DeMolay 
Commandery,  No.  15,  Boscobel,  Wisconsin. 

G.  R.  MILLER— COMPANY  A. 

•  •  My  life  has  been  too  uneventful  to  send  a  sketch  of  it.  I  was  born 
in  Cambridge,  New  York,  in  1834  ;  came  to  Iowa  in  1855  ;  enlisted  June 
13th.  1861,  at  Keokuk  :  re-enlisted  January  1st,  1864,  at  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas  ;  discharged  at  Austin,  Texas,  February  14th,  1866."  Now 
resides  at  Belinda,  Lucas  county,  Iowa. 

WALTER  S.  GRAY— COMPANY  A. 

Sergeant  Walter  S,  Gray,  of  Keokuk,  Iowa,  was  born  in  Belmont 
county,  Ohio,  in  1831,  where  he  resided  until  1855,  when  he  located  in 
Indiana.  In  1856  he  removed  to  Keokuk  and  engaged  in  the  pork 
packing  business  until  the  financial  crisis  of  1857,  when  he  went  to 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  and  engaged  in  the  sash,  door  and  blind  manu 
facture.  He  remained  there  until  1861,  when  all  Unionists  were  driven 
from  the  city,  losing  all  he  had.  He  returned  to  Keokuk  and  im 
mediately  enlisted.  Re-enlisted  with  the  regiment  in  1864,  but  was  re 
jected  because  of  ill  health,  and  discharged  in  September  of  the  same 
year  with  others  of  the  regiment.  Since  then  has  been  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  at  Keokuk. 

CAPTAIN  S.  S.  BURDETT— COMPANY  B. 

Samuel  Swineford  Burdett  was  born  in  England,  and  when  twelve 
years  old  with  his  elder  brother  landed  on  the  American  shores  and 
settled  in  Elyria.  Ohio.  In  due  time  he  became  a  student  of  Oberlin 
College  and  graduated  with  high  honors,  after  which  he  came  to  Iowa, 
settling  at  DeWitt.  He  read  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  soon 
won  a  leading  position  as  a  lawyer.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he 
joined  the  army  of  the  Union,  enlisting  in  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and 
soon  became  Captain  of  Company  B.  In  1863  he  was  detailed  as  judge 
advocate  at  a  station  where  he  remained  during  the  rest  of  the  struggle. 

The  war  over  he  married  an  Iowa  girl,  and  soon  took  up  his  abode 
at  Osceola,  Missouri,  where  he  practiced  law.  He  was  elected  to  Con 
gress  in  1868,  and  again  in  1870.  Between  July  1st,  1874,  and  October. 
1877,  he  was  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office,  an  appointment 
he  resigned  on  account  of  failing  health.  Extensive  travel  renewed  his 
vigor,  and  he  became  partner  in  a  lucrative  law  business  at  Washing 
ton.  He  has  made  considerable  money,  and  owns  the  beautiful  Wash- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  9 

ington  residence  in  which  Mrs.  Burdett  and  he  entertain  their  numerous 
visitors. 

He  was  elected  Department  Commander  of  the  Department  of  the 
Potomac,  G.  A.  R.,  in  1881,  and  re-elected  in  1882  to  the  same  position. 
In  1885,  at  Portland,  Maine,  he  was  chosen  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Grand  Army.  il  Though  born  in  England,  General  Burdett  is  thor 
oughly  American  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and  by  his  military  and 
civil  services  to  his  adopted  country  has  contributed  much  to  its  wel 
fare.  As  a  member  of  Congress  he  had  been  appealed  to  in  aid  of 
many  pensioners,  and  as  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office  had 
been  importuned  to  give  employment  and  aid  to  soldiers  seeking  em 
ployment  ;  consequently  he  was  keenly  alive  to  all  their  needs,  and 
could,  as  Commander-in-Chief.  assist  them  in  many  ways.  Members 
in  good  standing  at  the  close  of  General  BurdettV  administration  ag 
gregated  295,337,  which  he  insisted  should  have  been  many  more,  but 
for  the  carelessness  of  Post  officers  who  had  not  properly  looked  after 
and  reported  members."" 

CAPTAIN  J.  T.  FOSTER— COMPANY   B. 

Joseph  T.  Foster  was  enlisted  as  fourth  sergeant  in  Company  B, 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  on  the  1st  day  of  May,  1861,  at  Lyons.  Iowa.  Was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  for  three  years  on  the  31st  day 
of  July,  1861.  Was  appointed  Sergeant  Major  of  First  Battalion,  Oc 
tober  7th,  1861.  \Vounded  July  llth,  1861,  at  Big  Creek  Cliffs.  Trans 
ferred  to  first  sergeant  Company  B,  September  25th,  1862.  First  Lieu 
tenant  same  company.  December  21st,  1862  :  mustered  February  7th, 
1863.  Captain  same  company.  August  5th,  1864  ;  mustered  October 
1st,  1864.  Mustered  out  of  service  February  15th,  1866.  at  Austin, 
Texas.  Appointed  First  Lieutenant  Eighth  United  States  Cavalry, 
April  7th,  1866.  Served  on  the  Pacific  coast,  at  Benecia  Barracks,  An 
gels  Island,  Fort  Churchill.  Nevada,  and  Fort  McDermott.  Nevada. 
Resigned  February  10th,  1869. 

Participated  in  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes  with  his  company  from 
September  25th,  1862,  till  the  day  of  muster  out. 

CAPTAIN  H.  S.  HEBERLING— COMPANY  B. 

Was  born  on  December  25th,  1839,  and  comes  of  German  and  Scotch 
parents,  whose  ancestors  came  to  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.  John  Heberling,  his  grandfather,  as  well 
as  John  Coble,  his  other  grandparent,  were  both  soldiers  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  natives  of  this  country.  His  father,  John  Heberling,  a  resi 
dent  still  of  Miles.  Iowa,  and  a  native  of  Virginia,  was  an  abolitionist 
42 


330  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

of  the  most  pronounced  type  ;  while  his  brother,  Dr.  James  Heberling, 
was  a  resident  of  Missouri  and  espoused  the  Confederate  cause.  The 
Captain  was  therefore  of  a  temperament  known  among  soldiers  as 
••fiery.1'  He  enlisted  as  a  private  at  Lyons,  Iowa,  on  May  5th,  1861, 
in  a  company  that  became  B  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  served  as 
duty  sergeant  orderly  or  first  sergeant,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  at  close 
of  war  was  Ambulance  Officer  and  A.  A.  A.  Q.  M.  Second  Cavalry  Di 
vision,  Military  Division  of  the  Gulf,  with  rank  of  Captain  by  brevet, 
and  now,  by  the  courtesy  of  comrades  in  whose  welfare  he  feels  a  deep 
interest,  is  President  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry  Veteran  Volunteer 
Association. 

B.  S.  WOODWARD— COMPANY  B. 

Born  October  31st,  1831,  at  East  Haven,  New  Haven  county,  Con 
necticut.  Came  to  Lyons  in  1857.  Enlisted  in  Company  B,  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  in  July,  1861,  and  served  three  years,  returning  to  Lyons, 
where  he  still  resides.  Connected  with  the  Lamb  lumber  mills  the  last 
twenty-five  years  as  manager  of  sale  department. 

H.  P.  SHIFFER— COMPANY  B. 

Was  born  in  Chenango  county,  New  York,  July  17th.  1833.  Came 
to  Iowa  in  1857.  Enlisted  in  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  May  5th,  1861,  as  a 
private.  Mustered  out  in  Austin.  Texas,  February  loth.  1866,  as  First 
Lieutenant.  Remained  in  the  South  for  his  health  until  he  went  to 
the  Leaven  worth  Soldiers1  Home  in  1887. 

ISAAC  RHODES—COMPANY  B. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  the  1st  of  February,  1822,  in  the 
county  of  Kent,  England.  "  Father  emigrated  to  America  in  August. 
1837;  I  came  to  Iowa  in  October.  1853.  When  President  Lincoln  called 
for  three  months1  men  in  April.  1861.  I  enlisted  for  that  service.  There 
was  a  company  raised  and  officered,  but  we  were  rather  behind,  for 
when  the  company  was  tendered  the  State  the  regiment  was  full,  and 
that  left  us  out.  Then  a  number  of  us,  on  May  15th,  enrolled  into  what 
was  termed  the  Hawkeye  Rangers,  and  when  the  order  was  issued  for 
a  cavalry  regiment  our  company  was  tendered  and  accepted,  and  was 
known  as  Company  B.  I  was  appointed  color  bearer,  and  carried  the 
company  banner  till  the  regiment  was  organized  into  battalions.  The 
guidon  had  to  be  carried  by  a  sergeant,  and  that  caused  me  to  lay  the 
company  banner  by.  In  July,  1862,  I  was  appointed  chief  blacksmith 
of  the  regiment,  and  held  that  position  till  the  31st  of  March,  1864, 
when  I  was  detailed  to  work  in  the  Little  Rock  (Arkansas)  Arsenal,  in 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  331 

the  armor  department,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Thomas  D. 
Witt,  Chief  Ordnance  Officer,  and  was  there  till  August,  when  I  was 
relieved  from  duty,  and  with  the  detachment  of  non-veterans  came  to 
Davenport,  Iowa,  where  I  was  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service 
on  the  10th  day  of  September.  1864.'1 

M.  M.  CHATFIELD— COMPANY  B. 

Was  born  in  Medina  county,  Ohio.  December  5th,  1841.  Came  to 
Minnesota  in  1858.  In  the  spring  of  '61  went  to  Clinton  county,  Iowa, 
visiting-,  and  enlisted  in  Company  B.  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Served  until 
February  15th,  1866.  Have  lived  in  Minnesota  and  Iowa  ever  since. 

ORRIN  B.  CRANE— COMPANY  B. 

Was  born  in  Putnam  county.  New  York.  April  2d.  1884.  In  1836 
his  parents  removed  to  Seneca  county,  where  they  resided  until  1849. 
Thence  to  Orleans  county.  His  education  was  obtained  at  the  district 
school,  and  in  the  winter  of  1854  he  taught  school  in  the  town  of  Water- 
port.  In  the  spring  of  1854  he  with  two  elder  brothers  came  to  Jones 
county,  Iowa,  and  as  he  was  brought  up  on  the  farm  he  continued  the 
same  occupation  until  the  spring  of  1859,  when  he  with  three  others 
started  for  California,  overland  route,  with  three  yokes  of  cattle.  They 
followed  the  line  of  emigration  as  far  as  Laramie  ;  then  as  there  was 
quite  an  outburst  at  Pike's  Peak  the  party  turned  oft'  and  landed  in  the 
new  Eldorado.  It  was  then  getting  late  in  the  season  for  moving,  and 
they  began  to  look  for  winter  quarters,  and  drifted  south  to  Taos,  New 
Mexico,  and  returned  to  the  mines  for  the  summer.  Thence  back  to 
Jones  county.  Iowa,  in  the  fall.  The  following  winter  he  was  deputy 
recorder,  which  place  he  occupied  until  he  enlisted. 

After  returning  from  the  army  he  served  three  terms  as  Sheriff  of 
the  county,  commencing  in  1868,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he  engaged 
with  Daniel  Stewart  to  canvass  for  his  county  map  in  the  States  of 
Ohio  and  Michigan.  He  remained  with  him  a  year  and  a  half.  His 
health  was  then  so  much  impaired  that  he  returned  to  Anamosa.  His 
disease  had  then  taken  a  strong  hold  and  continued  to  increase  until 
the  spring  of  1876,  when  he  succumbed  to  that  fatal  disease,  consump 
tion,  which  was  undoubtedly  caused  by  a  rebel  bullet  that  could  not  be 
extracted  from  his  wound  and  had  worked  down  to  the  left  lung.  He 
left  a  wife  and  two  children.  * 

PHIL.  H.  FRANCIS— COMPANY  B. 

Phil.  H.  Francis,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
Veteran  Volunteer  Association,  was  born  in  Lyons,  lowa^  November 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

3d.  1848.  Educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Lyons.  Served  as  private 
in  B  company.  Began  the  study  of  law  soon  after  returning  home  ; 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1875  ;  practiced  the  profession  until  1883. 
when  he  was  elected  Chief  of  Police  of  Cedar  Rapids,  which  position 
he  held  till  April,  1890,  when  declining  a  re-election  he  resumed  the 
practice  of  law. 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  PRESCOTT  ALLEN— COMPANY  C. 
Born  Momaston,  Maine,  September  1st,  1843  ;  son  of  Rev.  L.  B. 
Allen.  D.  D..  a  Baptist  clergyman.  Moved  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  at  age 
of  14  years.  Enlisted  as  a  private  of  Company  C.  First  Iowa  Cavalry 
Volunteers,  at  age  of  17  years.  Re-enlisted  in  same  regiment  as  veter 
an  volunteer  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.  Appointed  Second  Lieutenant 
Sixty-seventh  United  States  Colored  Infantry  in  1863  ;  regiment  consoli 
dated  with  Sixty-fifth  United  States  Colored  Infantry  in  1864  ;  and  was 
promoted  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant.  Appointed  Post  Adjutant. 
Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  and  breveted  Captain  in  1864.  Mustered  out 
with  regiment  at  Benton  Barracks,  Missouri,  in  1865.  Came  to  Minne 
sota  and  engaged  in  Government  land  surveys  for  five  years,  then  went 
into  lumber  business.  At  present,  vice  president  and  manager  of  C.  N. 
Nelson  Lumber  Company  ;  residence  at  Cloquet,  Minnesota.  He  is  a 
widower,  with  two  children. 

LIEUTENANT  CLINTON  M.  TURNER— COMPANY  C. 

Was  born  May  27th,  1835,  in  Jefferson  county,  Indiana.  Re 
moved  to  Iowa  with  parents  at  the  age  of  five  years,  when  Iowa  was  a 
territory.  Was  raised  on  a  farm.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion 
was  a  miller  and  engineer.  Enlisted  on  the  night  of  the  14tb  of  April. 
1861.  for  the  First  Infantry  of  Iowa,  but  owing  to  the  rush  of  companies 
did  not  get  into  the  First  or  Seventh  Infantry  as  expected.  Finally 
went  with  a  squad  of  sixteen  to  Burlington,  and  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Was  elected  first  corporal  upon  organization 
of  the  company.  In  1862  was  promoted  to  commissary  and  quarter 
master  sergeant.  In  the  veteran  organization  in  1864  was  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  in  the  same  year  was  promoted  to  First  Lieu 
tenant.  Under-  the  veteran  organization  was  detailed  at  different  times 
to  command  ( 'ompanies  I,  L  and  B,  in  absence  of  other  commissioned 
officers. 

Participated  in  all  campaigns  and  engagements  of  the  regiment, 
closing  with  the  expedition  under  General  Ouster  into  Texas.  Was 
never  in  hospital  a  day.  Was  mustered  out  with  regiment  at  Daven- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  333 

port,  March  15th,  1866 — lacking  but  thirty  days  of  five  years  from  date 
of  first  enlistment. 

PAUL  HENDRICKS— COMPANY  C. 

Was  born  February  25th.  1838,  in  Decatur  county,  Indiana.  At  the 
age  of  three  years  his  parents  moved  to  the  then  far  west,  the  south 
eastern  part  of  Iowa.  Here  he  lived  until  the  date  of  his  enlistment  as 
a  recruit,  in  August,  1862,  in  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  Company  C, 
serving  one  year.  He  then  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran,  and  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  When  he  first  left  home  to  fight  for  the  stripes 
and  stars  he  was  engaged  as  a  farmer  in  Lee  county,  Iowa.  Leaving 
behind  a  wife  and  one  year  old  baby  girl,  he  and  his  only  brother  Will 
iam  went  to  help  fill  up  the  regiment.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was 
mustered  out  as  color  bearer  of  his  company.  He  escaped  the  prison 
pens  of  the  South,  the  balls  of  the  Johnnies,  but,  like  all  other  soldiers 
who  went  nobly  to  the  front,  he  gave  his  youth  and  health  for  his 
country.  On  his  return  home  he  emigrated  to  Bates  county.  Missouri, 
where  he  resided  sixteen  years.  He  then  visited  his  mother,  (his  father 
having  died  during  the  war, )  in  Lowa,  on  his  way  to  South  Dakota,  in 
1881,  where  he  now  resides  with  his  family,  in  Hyde  county.  He  is 
the  father  of  five  children,  one  son  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  two 
died  in  infancy,  Although  an  old  man  in  looks,  with  very  poor  health , 
he  loves  to  meet  the  old  veterans  and  talk  over  old  times  and  tell  war 
stories  as  well  as  ever. 

'REMEMBRANCE  M.  SWAN— COMPANY  C. 

Born  in  Marshall  county,  West  Virginia,  July  27th,  1835.  Emi 
grated  with  his  parents,  Henry  and  Esther  Swan,  to  Henry  county, 
Iowa,  on  the  8th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1838.  Ex-member  of  Company  C, 
First  Iowa  Volunteer  Cavalry.  Also  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 
Danville  Lodge,  No.  48,  of  Danville,  Iowa.  Also  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  Burlington,  where  he  resides.  His  father,  Henry  V. 
Swan,  was  a  Lieutenant  in  Company  G,  Thirty-seventh  Iowa  Volunteer- 
Infantry.  Occupation  through  life,  farmer  and  stock  dealer  ;  formerly 
bred  the  Jersey  cattle.  Also  taught  a  great  many  terms  of  school,  in 
his  younger  days,  in  DesMoines  and  Henry  counties,  Iowa. 

D.  D.  BURNETT— COMPANY  D. 

Was  born  in  East  Plymouth,  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  August  9th, 
1839.  Was  raised  on  a  farm.  At  the  age  of  21  years,  in  1860,  went  to 
Iowa.  In  June.  1861,  enlisted  in  Captain  P.  Gad  Bryan's  Company  D. 
First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Was  wounded  at  Greer's  Place,  south  of  Lexing- 


334  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ton,  Missouri,  in  March,  1862  ;  was  sent  home  on  furlough  ;  rejoined 
regiment  in  July,  1862,  and  remained  with  company  until  December. 
1863,  when  he  was  sent  to  General  Hospital  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
as  unfit  for  field  service  on  account  of  rheumatism.  Remained  there 
until  ordered  home  to  be  mustered  out  in  September,  1864.  Returned 
to  Ohio,  and  was  married  in  February,  1865.  Went  to  Iowa  and  lived 
one,  year,  then  returned  to  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  where  he  now  resides.  In 
March,  1872,  was  run  over  by  cars  and  lost  his  right  leg  below  the 
knee.  In  1883  he  went  into  trade  as  a  grocer,  which  he  still  follows. 
Is  a  member  of  Paulus  Post,  No.  4,  Department  of  Ohio,  G.  A.  R. 

A.  F.  WILDASIN— COMPANY  E. 

Was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  I0th.  1836.  "My 
father  removed  with  his  family  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  1840,  eight 
miles  west  of  Springfield,  on  the  old  National  road,  where  I  was  reared, 
and  received  simply  a  common  school  education.  On  the  18th  day  of 
August,  1857,  I  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Howett,  near  Troy,  Miami 
county,  Ohio,  near  which  place  I  lived  until  the  spring  of  1860,  when 
we  moved  to  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  farming  with  the  most 
nattering  prospects  of  success.  But  in  the  spring  of  '61  the  war  broke 
out,  and  I  enlisted  in  the  First  Cavalry  during  the  entire  war.  I  ap 
pend  my  military  history.  Enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  First 
Iowa  Cavalry,  on  the  28th  of  July,  1861.  Was  promoted  to  eighth 
corporal  October  25th,  1861;  seventh  corporal,  May  12th,  1862;  sixth 
corporal,  June  8th,  1862;  fifth  corporal,  August  6th,  186$;  and  on  the 
8th  day  of  September,  1862,  shortly  after  the  fight  at  Clear  Creek, 
Missouri,  where  I  had  my  horse  shot  under  me,  was  promoted  to  fourth 
sergeant ;  third  sergeant,  January  1st,  1863  ;  second  sergeant,  April 
3d,  1865.  Was  mustered  out  at  Austin,  Texas,  February  15th,  1866. 
After  the  war  returned  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  where  1  have  ever  since 
resided.  Of  late  years  I  have  followed  mostly  the  profession  of  run 
ning  steam  engines.  My  post  office  address  is  Casstown.  Miami  county. 
Ohio.  There  were  two  children  born  to  us.  The  oldest,  a  girl,  was 
born  in  Ohio,  and  was  about  two  years  old  when  we  moved  to  Iowa. 
Our  boy  was  born  in  Henry  county.  Iowa,  after  I  had  enlisted  as  a  sol 
dier.  When  I  was  home  on  re-enlistment  furlough,  he  took  sick  and 
died.  My  daughter  lives  in  Cass  county,  Ohio,  the  wife  of  John  Hance/' 

CLEMENT  M.  BIRD— COMPANY  E. 

Was  born  October  9th,  1837,  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsyl 
vania.  At  the  age  of  twelve  left  school  and  went  to  work  in  a  rolling- 
mill,  in  Dowville,  Pennsylvania.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  came 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  335 

to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  and  there  learned  the  plasterer's  trade.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  First  Iowa 
Infantry,  for  three  months,  April  15th,  1861.  Was  discharged  August 
20th,  1861,  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri.  Enlisted  in  Company  E, 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  September  1st,  1861.  Wounded  March  19th,  1862. 
Veteraned  January  1st,  1864.  Final  discharge,  February  15th,  1866, 
at  Austin,  Texas,  making  an  almost  continued  service  of  1,741  days. 
Since  the  war  he  has  followed  the  business  of  plastering  and  brick 
laying.  Was  married  September  4th,  1866  ;  has  raised  a  family  of 
three  girls  and  one  boy,  and  his  present  home  is  at  Afton,  Union 
county,  Iowa. 

LIEUTENANT  CHARLES  W.  W.  DOW— COMPANY  F. 

Lieutenant  Charles  W.  W.  Dow  is  a  native  of  the  State  of  Maine,  and 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Augusta  on  the  17th  day  of  May,  1838,  being 
the  third  son  of  Wm.  N.  and  Sarah  Dow.  His  boyhood  days  were 
passed  in  Massachusetts,  and  he  was  educated  in  part  at  Boston,  and  at 
the  Oliver  Grammar  School  at  Lawrence  in  that  State.  In  1854  we 
find  him  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  where  he  lived  and  learned  the 
trade  of  an  upholsterer.  And  again  in  1856,  at  Iowa  City,  Johnson 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  until  1859.  In  far  off  New  Mexico  we 
find  him  engaged  in  campaigning  against  the  hostile  Navajoes  of  New 
Mexico  and  Northern  Arizona.  Returning  from  his  second  campaign 
in  February,  1861,  after  having  all  but  lost  his  life  by  starvation — the 
party  eating  all  their  riding  and  pack  animals,  three  of  his  comrades 
dying  of  starvation  and  three  going  crazy  by  the  same  cause,  (his  ad 
ventures  in  the  southwest  would  fill  a  good  sized  volume) — June  found 
him  at  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  having  ridden  his  mustang  pony  from  Lower 
New  Mexico  to  Plattsmouth,  Nebraska,  all  alone ;  twice  escaping  the 
hostile  Sioux,  first  by  strategy,  and  once  by  the  speed  of  his  pony  ;  hav 
ing  accomplished  a  journey  of  over  one  thousand  miles. 

Again,  three  days  after  his  arrival  home,  we  find  him  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  F,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  for  three  years  unless 
sooner  discharged  ;  being  promoted  to  first  sergeant  of  his  company  on 
September  1st,  1862.  Commanded  the  first  platoon  at  the  now  cele 
brated  moonlight  charge  at  midnight  on  Newton's  rebel  regiment,  at 
Jackson,  Missouri,  April  28th,  1863.  Promoted  to  be  Second  Lieuten 
ant  July  18th,  1863.  Severely  wounded  in  the  head  by  rifle  ball,  at 
Holley  Bottom,  Little  Missouri  river,  Arkansas,  on  the  4th  day  of  April, 
1864.  Remained  with  his  company  and  regiment  after  its  re-muster  as 
veterans,  and  promoted  First  Lieutenant  February  7th,  1865. 


336  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

While  on  leave  of  absence  (sick  leave)  was  married,  on  April  30th. 
to  Lucy  E.  North,  of  Iowa  City,  Johnson  county,  Iowa,  a  graduate  of 
the  normal  department  of  the  State  University  of  Iowa. 

Returned  to  his  regiment  and  served  until  the  end  of  the  war  and  dis 
charge  of  the  regiment,  at  Austin,  Texas,  the  28th  day  of  February. 
1866  ;  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  at  Pleasant  Valley,  Johnson 
county,  Iowa.  In  1872  took  a  Government  homestead  in  Nobles  county. 
Minnesota,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 
Served  over  ten  years  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  town  clerk  ;  also  as 
deputy  clerk  of  the  district  court  and  deputy  sheriff ;  and  in  November. 
1888,  was  elected  judge  of  the  probate  court  for  his  county.  He  is  now 
the  father  of  twelve  children,  three  boys  and  nine  girls. 

The  Lieutenant  is  a  pensioner  since  1874  for  wounds  received  in  ac 
tion,  and  present  post  office  address  is  at  Rushmore,  Nobles  county. 
Minnesota. 

MAX  KLEIN— COMPANY  F. 

Enlisted  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  in  Company  F,  First  Iowa  Cav 
alry,  August  1st,  1861.  Re-enlisted  as  veteran  January  1st,  1864.  for 
three  years.  Promoted  corporal  October  31st,  1864.  Participated  in  the 
most  of  the  engagements,  raids,  etc.,  for  which  the  regiment  was  noted. 
He  was  with  his  company  when  they  charged  Newton's  rebel  regiment, 
whilst  in  pursuit  of  Marmaduke,  and  in  the  celebrated  • '  moonlight 
charge."  When  the  command  reached  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  the  then 
Governor  of  that  State  was  raising  a  Union  cavalry  regiment,  and  his 
officers  unanimously  recommended  Mr.  Klein  for  a  commission,  which 
was  declined,  he  preferring  to  remain  with  his  command.  His  First 
Lieutenant  wrote  a  letter  in  which  he  said,  ' '  No  better  cavalry  soldier 
ever  mounted  a  horse  ;  always  ready  for  duty,  with  no  hospital  record." 
He  is  a  well  known  business  man  of  Allegheny,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a 
member  of  James  M.  Lytle  Post,  128,  G.  A.  R.  The  title  of  Major 
was  bestowed  upon  him  since  the  war. 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  J.  D.  THOMPSON— COMPANY  G. 

James  Danforth  Thompson,  son  of  Captain  Isaac  K.  and  Emily  D. 
Thompson,  is  a  native  of  Fredonia,  Chautauqua  county,  New  York,  and 
was  born  on  the  19th  day  of  September,  1832.  His  early  life  was 
passed  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  attending  the  common  school,  and 
subsequently  the  academy  in  his  native  village.  Like  many  young  men 
having  their  own  way  to  make  in  life,  he  engaged  at  the  age  of  seven 
teen  in  teaching  during  the  winter  months,  to  secure  means  to  defray 
his  expenses  at  the  academy  during  the  remainder  of  the  year.  At  the 


Capt,  JAMES  E,  THOMPSON 


COMPANY    G 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  337 

age  of  nineteen  years  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  O.  W.  Johnson, 
in  Fredonia,  New  York,  where  he  continued  until  he  was  compelled  by 
ill  health  to  discontinue  his  studies,  and  in  the  fall  of  1852  he  visited 
Cincinnati,  and  subsequently  spent  the  winter  in  Kentucky.  In  the 
summer  of  1853  he  engaged  in  civil  engineering  on  railroads  in  south 
ern  Ohio,  and  in  the  spring  of  1854  for  awhile  on  the  Michigan  South 
ern  railroad  in  northern  Ohio. 

Having  regained  his  health,  he  resigned  his  position  as  engineer  and 
started  for  Iowa,  arriving  at  Eldora.  county  seat  of  Hardin  county,  on 
the  10th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1854,  when  he  at  once  engaged  in  practice 
of  his  chosen  profession.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  was  elected  prose 
cuting  attorney  of  the  county,  and  in  April.  1857,  as  an  independent 
democrat,  was  elected  judge  of  that  judicial  district. 

In  1861,  at  the  first  intimation  of  war,  he  announced  himself  uncon 
ditionally  in  support  of  the  general  Government,  and  as  chairman  of 
the  democratic  central  committee  united  in  a  call  for  a  public  meeting 
to  endorse  its  action,  and  was  one  of  the  most  active  at  the  special 
session  of  the  State  Legislature,  in  May,  1861,  to  urge  that  body  to 
authorize  the  Governor  to  tender  the  United  States  a  regiment  of  cav 
alry,  armed  and  equipped  at  the  expense  of  the  members  of  the  regi 
ment.  So  soon  as  it  was  known  that  the  Governor  would  be  authorized 
to  offer  the  regiment  he  returned  from  DesMoines,  and  at  once  began 
enlisting  men  for  a  company,  buying  and  furnishing  a  number  of  horses 
to  those  unable  to  buy.  When  the  order  came  to  go  into  rendezvous 
he  marched  his  command  across  the  country  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  "at 
which  place  he  was,  on  the  31st  day  of  July,  1861,  mustered  into  the 
army  of  the  United  States  as  Captain  of  Company  G,  First  Regiment 
Iowa  Cavalry  Volunteers.  Upon  General  Fremont  refusing  to  order  the 
regiment  into  service  unless  the  men  would  sell  their  horses  and  equip 
ments,  he  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Warren  to  St.  Louis  to  secure  a  mod 
ification  of  the  order,  which  he  was  largely  instrumental  in  accom 
plishing. 

On  his  return  Captain  Thompson  was  sent  to  Davenport  to  induce 
Adjutant  General  Baker  to  order  Captain  Heath's  and  Captain  An- 
keny's  companies  to  join  the  First  Regiment  at  Burlington.  In  this  he 
succeeded,  and  Companies  L  and  M  completed  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 
Being  absent  from  his  regiment  when  ordered  to  St.  Louis,  he  only 
joined  it  after  his  company  had  marched  with  General  Fremont  to 
Springfield,  and  was  ordered  to  escort  a  supply  train  from  Tipton  to 


43 


338  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Springfield,  but  upon  reaching1  the  Osage  river  was  ordered  back  to 
Syracuse,  and  soon  after  joined  his  company. 

Was  with  General  Pope  in  his  march  to  cut  off  General  Raines,  and 
commanded  his  company  at  the  battle  of  Milford,  on  the  19th  day  of 
December,  1861.  and  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Colonels  Robinson 
and  McGoffin  and  their  command  of  1,500  troops.  The  next  day  he 
escorted  General  Pope  back  to  Sedalia. 

He  commanded  his  company  in  the  march  into  Howard  county, 
which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  Colonel  Poindexter,  at  Silver  Creek. 
January  8th,  1862. 

When  Major  Torrence  was  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  First 
Battalion,  Captain  Thompson  was  placed  in  command,  and  on  the  22d 
day  of  February  commanded  the  cavalry  on  the  march  toward  the 
Missouri  river. 

Ln  April,  1862,  he  commanded  the  troops  sent  to  defend  Warrens- 
burg  from  Quantrell,  and  on  the  following  day  defeated  Colonel  Parker, 
captured  him  and  fifteen  or  twenty  of  his  command,  and  then  returned 
to  Sedalia. 

In  May  he  was  ordered  to  Lexington,  and  thence  to  Clinton,  Mis 
souri.  He  was  then  detailed  to  serve  on  military  commission  at  Butler. 
Bates  county,  serving  till  the  commission  was  ordered  to  Sedalia.  in 
August,  1862. 

In  October  of  that  year  he  resigned  (on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disa 
bility)  from  the  First  Iowa  Cavalry. 

In  1863.  having  improved  in  health,  was  commissioned  Major  of  the 
Eighth  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  was  subsequently  breveted  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services. 

Commanded  sub-district  west  of  Nashville  in  1863  and  1864.  In 
February,  1864.  was  ordered  to  Iowa  to  escort  recruits  to  their  com 
mands,  along  the  railroad  from  Nashville.  Tennessee,  to  Huntsville. 
Alabama. 

In  March  was  detailed  on  military  commission  at  Nashville.  His 
health  having  again  yielded  to  the  effects  of  the  hard  service  and  expo 
sure,  he  was  sent  to  the  Nashville  hospital,  and  in  the  summer  of  1864 
honorably  discharged  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  permanent  disability. 

Returning  home,  Colonel  Thompson  engaged  in  agriculture  until 
1866,  when  he  was  induced  to  accept  the  nomination  of  the  people's 
party  for  Congress  and  was  defeated. 

In  the  spring  of  1867  he  was  appointed  and  confirmed  United  States 
Pension  Agent  at  DesMoines. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

In  1875  he  left  Iowa  and  has  since  made  his  home  in  California. 
For  a  time  he  practiced  his  profession  in  San  Francisco,  but  of  late 
years  has  been  engaged  in  mining,  railroading  and  real  estate.  His 
headquarters  are  rooms  23  and  24,  230  Montgomery  street,  San  Fran 
cisco. 

CAPTAIN  A.  W.  HOSFORD— COMPANY  G. 

A.  W.  Hosford  was  born  June  14th,  1839,  in  Lorain  county,  Ohio, 
v^fchere  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1855,  when,  with  a  determination 
to  do  and  dare  for  himself,  he  packed  his  grip  and  started  for  the  far 
west,  arriving  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  March  17th  of  that  year.  At  this 
date  no  railway  had  penetrated  the  northwest  as  far  as  the  Father  of 
Waters,  the  terminus  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  then  being  Galena. 
Illinois.  At  this  place  he  took  stage  for  Dubuque,  Iowa,  a  lively  town 
of  about  eight  thousand  inhabitants.  Having  been  brought  up  on  a 
farm  he  sought  employment  as  a  farm  hand  :  failing  to  find  immediate 
employment  in  this  line,  he  worked  in  a  brick  yard  for  three  months, 
when  he  engaged  with  a  farmer,  receiving  a  man's  wages,  twenty  dol 
lars  per  month,  though  but  sixteen  years  of  age.  Here  he  remained, 
working  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do,  until  August,  1857,  when  he 
concluded  that  to  fight  successfully  the  battle  of  life  required  a  better 
education  than  he  had  yet  received.  So.  gathering  up  his  effects, 
which  amounted  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  he  returned  to  Ober- 
lin,  Ohio,  where  his  mother  then  lived — entering  college  at  this  place, 
pursuing  special  studies  until  the  spring  of  1859,  when  with  a  depleted 
treasury  he  returned  to  Dubuque,  Iowa.  Here  he  at  once  secured  a  po 
sition  as  teacher  in  a  public  school  near  Reed:s  Chapel,  where  he  had 
formerly  worked.  After  teaching  this  school  one  term,  he  was  ap 
pointed  teacher  at  Rockdale,  near  Dubuque.  which  position  he  held 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion. 

The  disaster  to  the  Union  arms  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  removed 
all  doubt  from  his  mind  as  to  his  duty  to  the  Government  he  had  early 
been  taught  to  love  and  reverence.  So  he  immediately  enrolled  his 
name  in  the  cavalry  company  then  forming  in  Dubuque,  which  became 
Company  G,  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  In  this  company  he  served  till  its 
final  muster  out,  February  15th,  1866.  He  was  appointed  corporal  Oc 
tober  1st,  1861  ;  promoted  sergeant  May  llth,  1863  ;  re-enlisted  Decem 
ber  9th,  1863  ;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  April  4th,  1864,  and 
placed  in  command  of  detachment  of  Company  G  composed  of  non- 
veterans  and  recruits.  This  detachment  he  commanded  until  the  re 
turn  of  the  veterans  from  their  furlough  and  Missouri  campaign,  when 


340  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  company.  Was  promoted  Captain 
January  3d,  1865.  Served  as  Provost  Marshal  on  General  Thompson's 
staff  during  the  Texas  campaign  under  General  Custer. 

After  his  muster  out  he  returned  to  Dubuque,  married  Miss  Sidonia 
Nailer,  settled  down  on  a  farm,  followed  this  avocation  till  the  spring  of 
1874,  when  he  sold  out,  and  with  his  family  visited  Europe,  where  his 
youngest  surviving  child  was  born.  Returning  home  a  year  later,  he 
bought  an  interest  in  the  Rockdale  flouring  mills,  which  with  his  part 
ner  he  continued  to  operate  until  the  autumn  of  1884.  The  succeeding 
two  years  he  improved  and  operated  his  farm  at  Manchester,  Iowa. 

January  1st,  1887.  he  opened  a  real  estate,  loan  and  insurance  office, 
where  at  this  writing,  September  5th,  1890,  he  may  be  found,  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Eighth  streets,  Dubuque,  Iowa.  He  oc 
cupies  a  pleasant  house  with  his  wife  and  three  children,  Amanda  L.. 
Richard  W.  and  Ida  F.,  in  the  suburbs  of  Dubuque,  Iowa.  Here  he 
expects  to  remain  till  he  shall  conquer  his  last  enemy  and  be  gathered 
to  his  fathers. 

LIEUTENANT  E.  A.  KLINGEN BERG— COMPANY  G. 

Ernest  A.  Klingenberg  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  on  the  llth 
day  of  January,  1844.  Being  the  seventh  son  he  was  named  after  the 
King  of  Hanover,  thereby  procuring  the  privilege  of  obtaining  a  mili 
tary  education  by  the  government.  Unfortunately  the  father  met  with 
an  accidental  death  when  Ernest  was  but  three  years  old,  and  the  mother 
died  when  he  was  but  eleven  years  old.  Being  left  an  orphan  at  eleven, 
and  his  relatives  in  Amsrica,  the  guardian  received  instructions  to  send 
him  over  to  them,  which  he  did  in  September.  1855.  Received  private 
instructions  for  one  year  in  St.  Louis  and  Dubuque,  after  which  he 
attended  the  public  school  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  took 
employment  as  grocer's  clerk  :  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  and 
five  months,  on  the  13th  of  June.  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  G.  First  Iowa 
Cavalry.  Commissioned  First  Lieutenant  in  same  company,  January 
3d,  1865.  and  mustered  out  at  Austin,  Texas,  February  15th,  1866. 

After  returning  home  at  Dubuque  he  took  a  course  in  Bayliss  Com 
mercial  College,  after  which  he  started  into  the  grocery  business  ;  and 
in  the  summer  of  1868  the  Rev.  James  S.  Rand,  former  Chaplain  of  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  paid  Dubuque  a  visit,  and  persuaded  Ernest  to  go 
into  the  insurance  business,  in  which  business  he  is  up  to  date,  having 
removed  to  .  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  in  1874.  His  family  consists  of  a 
wife,  son  and  daughter,  the  latter  married  in  1887. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  341 

S.  W.  TRENCHARD— -COMPANY  G. 

Was  born  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1836. 
When  ten  years  old  his  parents  moved  to  Wisconsin,  and  in  1852  he 
moved  to  Delaware  county,  Iowa,  and  lived  on  a  farm  until  1858,  when 
he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  Received  a  common  school  educa 
tion,  and  when  the  war  broke  out,  on  the  13th  day  of  June,  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  serving-  three  years  and 
three  months.  Mustered  out  as  corporal  at  Davenport,  September  9th. 
1864.  Has  followed  contracting-  and  building-  ever  since. 

BENJAMIN  F.  SKINNER— COMPANY  G. 

Ben.  F.  Skinner  was  born  in  Middleburg,  Indiana,  December  3d. 
1842,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  eleven  years  old.  The  family  then 
removed  to  Delaware  county,  Iowa.  His  father  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade.  After  arriving  in  Iowa  his  father  entered  a  large  tra.ct  of  land 
and  went  to  farming.  This  did  not  suit  the  taste  of  the  boy  Ben.  so  he 
was  apprenticed  to  the  tinner's  trade,  at  which  he  was  at  work  when 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  G,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  at  Burling 
ton,  Iowa,  August  15th,  1861.  During  his  term  of  service  was  on  duty 
at  General  Herron's  headquarters  for  nine  months.  Returned  to  his 
company  when  the  expedition  to  capture  Little  Rock  was  organized. 
Was  sunstruck  at  Clarendon,  Arkansas,  and  nearly  lost  his  life.  The 
Camden  expedition  nearly  used  him  up,  as  he  was  sick  nigh  unto  death 
until  discharged  at  Davenport.  Iowa,  September  9th.  1X64.  as  high 
private,  and  then  he  thanked  God  his  soldier  days  were  over.  He  is 
now  a  robust  G.  A.  R.  man,  a  tinner  by  trade,  and  lives  at  Manchester. 
Iowa  ;  and  if  any  of  old  Company  G  pass  his  way.  he  invites  them  to 
be  sure  and  call. 

J.  W.  KRAPFELL— COMPANY  G. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  March  30th.  1842,  in  the 
kingdom  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  and  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  six 
children.  In  1846  the  family  emigrated  to  America,  arriving  at  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  in  the  early  spring  of  that  year.  In  the  same  year 
they  departed  for  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  in  1847  located  on  some  Govern 
ment  land  in  Dubuque  county.  He  first  attended  school  at  New  Wine, 
going  a  distance  of  three  miles  on  foot  daily  with  an  older  brother.  In 
1853  he  returned  to  Dubuque  and  finished  his  studies  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  city.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  he  was  a  clerk 
in  the  general  merchandising  firm  of  O'Farrell.  Patterson  &  Co.,  of 
Dubuque. 


342  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

On  June  13th,  1861,  he  with  his  friend  Ed.  J.  Brown  enlisted  under 
Captain  H.  H.  Heath  in  Company  G,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  as  private, 
and  served  in  company  in  that  capacity  until  after  the  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove,  when  he  was  detailed  by  General  Herron  for  service  in  the  com- ' 
missary  department.  After  the  departure  of  General  Herron  farther 
south,  and  the  breaking  up  of  his  division  at  Prairie  Grove,  he  returned 
to  his  company  and  remained  with  it  until  after  the  capture  of  Little 
Rock,  when  he  was  detailed  as  clerk  in  the  commissary  department  un 
der  Captain  Arden  R.  Smith,  Quartermaster  of  the  Seventh  Army 
Corps,  at  Little  Rock,  which  position  he  held  until  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  enlistment. 

On  September  9th,  1864,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Dav 
enport,  Iowa,  and  returned  to  Dubuque,  where  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
he  entered  the  service  of  Messrs.  Woods  &  Jackson,  dry  goods  mer 
chants,  remaining  with  them  until  September  19th,  1867.  He  then 
took  a  position  with  the  German  Savings  Bank  of  Dubuque,  and  re 
mained  with  that  institution  until  May,  1871.  On  May  21st,  1871,  he 
located  at  Waterloo,  Iowa,  and  took  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the 
National  Savings  Bank,  and  has  ever  since  been  connected  with  bank 
ing  institutions  in  that  city.  In  1876  he  was  elected  assistant  cashier 
of  the  First  National  Bank.  In  1879  he  was  promoted  to  cashier,  in 
which  capacity  he  is  now  serving  that  organization. 

The  ties  of  friendship  existing  before  the  war  between  Ed.  J.  Brown 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  strengthened  during  their  service  to 
their  country.  During  their  entire  service,  with  the  exception  of  when 
either  one  was  sick,  they  bunked  together  and  slept  under  the  same 
blankets.  Both  were  on  detached  service  at  the  same  time  under  Gen 
eral  Herron  and  Captain  Arden  R.  Smith.  The  meeting  of  such  com 
rades  at  the  triennial  reunions  of  the  regiment  is  truly  a  source  of  great 
pleasure  ;  it  revives  in  their  memories  and  rekindles  in  their  hearts  the 
scenes  around  the  camp-fires,  and  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  those  days 
which  will  ever  remain  green  in  their  memories. 

EDWARD  J.  BROWN— COMPANY  G. 

Edward  J.  Brown  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Michigan,  May  10th, 
1842.  Educated  at  the  State  Normal  School,  Ypsilanti.  Came  with  his 
parents  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  January,  1854,  and  there  lived  until  the  war 
broke  out,  when  he  enlisted,  June  13th,  1861,  under  Lieutenant  H.  H. 
Heath,  (afterwards  Captain  Company  L, )  Company  G,  First  Iowa  Cav 
alry.  After  three  years'  and  three  months1  active  service,  he  was  mus- 
t-ered  out  at  Davenport,  September  9th,  1864.  After  the  war  he  en- 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  343 

gaged  in  the  insurance  business  for  several  years,  and  is  now  located  at 
Quincy,  Illinois,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  business  of  dealer 
in  nursery  stock  for  the  last  twelve  years. 

THOMAS  S.  HELLER— COMPANY  G. 

Thomas  S.  Heller,  Menomonie,  Wisconsin,  was  born  in  Salona, 
Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  September,  1840.  He  went  to  Bur 
lington  in  1857,  where  he  attended  a  commercial  college.  He  went  to 
Reed's  Landing,  Minnesota,  the  following  year  and  kept  the  books  of 
T.  B.  Wilson  &  Co. ,  then  a  branch  of  the  lumber  firm  of  Knapp,  Stout 
&  Co. ,  for  about  one  year.  He  then  became  a  student  of  Alleghany  Col 
lege,  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  about  one  year. 
He  came  to  Dunnville,  then  the  county  seat  of  Dunn  county,  in  Wiscon 
sin,  in  1860,  and  kept  the  hotel  known  as  the  Painter  House,  and  was 
deputy  county  treasurer  that  year,  doing  the  business  for  his  father. 
who  was  county  treasurer.  He  went  east,  attended  the  first  inaugura 
tion  of  President  Lincoln  in  1861,  and  returned  home  with  war  fever. 
and  desiring  to  join  a  cavalry  regiment  closed  out  his  successful  busi 
ness  and  went  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  where  he  enlisted  in  the  First  Regi 
ment  Iowa  Cavalry  Volunteers,  being  mustered  in  with  his  regiment  in 
July.  1861.  He  took  violently  ill  in  Fremont's  march  to  Springfield. 
and  was  left  with  many  other  sick  soldiers  in  a  church  on  the  Osage 
river,  many  of  whom  quickly  died  with  the  raging  fever,  and  want  of 
proper  care.  He.  being  fortunate  in  reaching  the  hospitals  at  Sedalia 
and  St.  Louis,  finally  recovered,  and  then  rejoined  his  company  in  the 
field,  where  he  served  until  in  June,  1863,  when  he  was  detailed  on 
special  service  by  command  of  Major  General  Schofield,  as  clerk  at  the 
headquarters  Department  of  the  Missouri,  at  St.  Louis,  and  to  report  to 
Major  A.  G.  Brackett,  Asst.  Com.  of  Musters.  He  was  married  to 
Mary  Helen  Tillotson,  of  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  in  May,  1864.  and  was 
at  work  in  the  office  of  the  Provost  Marshal  General  when  ordered  to 
be  mustered  out  of  service,  July,  1864,  his  term  of  three  years  having 
expired.  He  came  to  Menomonie.  Wisconsin,  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service,  and  kept  the  Menomonie  House  for  one  year ;  thence 
to  Chicago  for  a  year  or  two.  Has  been  a  resident  of  Menomonie,  Wis 
consin,  since  that  time.  He  was  assessor  in  1870,  town  clerk  for  four 
or  five  years,  and  elected  mayor  of  Menomonie  in  1887.  He  does  a 
large  fire  insurance  business,  representing  many  of  the  best  companies 
in  this  country  and  in  England.  He  has  six  children — two  sons  and 
four  daughters.  One  daughter  is  married  ;  his  wife  is  dead. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 
LIEUTENANT  SAMUEL  T.  CRAIG— COMPANY  H. 

Samuel  T.  Craig  was  born  March  22d,  1835,  in  Corydon,  Harrison 
county,  Indiana.  His  parents,  Dr.  Thomas  and  Mary  E.  Craig,  emi 
grated  to  Waveland,  Montgomery  county,  Indiana,  while  he  was  a  mere 
child,  where  he  received  a  common  school  education  and  learned  the 
carriage  making  trade  with  N.  Glover.  He  emigrated  with  his  parents 
to  Albia,  Monroe  county,  Iowa,  in  the  spring  of  1855,  being  in  his 
twentieth  year.  He  manufactured  the  first  buggy  made  in  Monroe 
county,  Iowa. 

In  the  spring  of  1858  he  and  his  brother  David  traveled  overland  in 
an  open  buggy  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  there  being  no  railroad  west  of 
the  Mississippi  river  except  a  short  line  from  Burlington  to  Mt.  Pleas 
ant,  Iowa,  and  the  city  of  Minneapolis  was  but  a  village. 

He  was  one  of  the  unfortunate  gold  hunters  during  the  Pike's  Peak 
excitement  in  1859-60.  He  returned  home  to  Albia,  Iowa,  in  the  fall 
of  1860,  with  a  view  of  returning  to  the  gold  fields  early  in  the  spring 
of  1861.  The  late  war  of  the  rebellion  of  '61,  and  the  call  of  President 
Lincoln  for  volun.eers  to  defend  the  National  flag,  changed  his  base  of 
action,  and  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  declared  his  intentions  to  defend 
the  Government. 

He  enlisted  as  private  of  Company  H,  First  Iowa  Cavalry  Volunteers, 
June  13th,  1861.  Was  promoted  after  about  two  years'1  service  to 
orderly  sergeant,  thence  to  Second  Lieutenant,  thence  to  First  Lieuten 
ant — all  in  same  company  and  regiment. 

He  served  on  staff  of  Colonel  J.  M.  Glover,  commanding  Second 
Brigade  Cavalry  Division,  for  nearly  a  year.  Was  first  in  the  city  at 
the  capture  of  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  and  captured  several  prisoners. 
Served  on  staffs  of  General  Cyrus  Bussey,  Carr  and  Davidson,  at  Little 
Hock,  Arkansas,  and  on  staffs  of  Generals  E.  D.  Osband  and  B.  S.  Rob 
erts,  commanding  cavalry  division  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  Participated 
in  nearly  all  the  engagements  with  the  enemy  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river,  including  Prairie  Grove,  Van  Buren,  Little  Rock,  Prairie  DeAnue, 
Poison  Springs,  Camden,  near  Mark's  Mill,  Saline  River,  et  al.  Was 
mustered  out  of  service  while  under  the  command  of  General  Custer,  at 
Austin,  Texas,  February  15th,  1866 — having  served  four  years,  eight 
months  and  three  days. 

He  cast  his  first  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont,  republican  candidate  for 
President ;  also  voted  for  Lincoln  and  Grant  twice,  Hayes,  Garfield. 
Blaine  and  Harrison  for  same  office.  Was  a  consistent  republican  as 
well  as  a  prohibitionist.  Was  elected  county  auditor  on  the  republican 


DR.  ASA  MORGAN,  Aset.  Surgeon. 

Lieut.  JAMES  M.  SIMERAL,  Co.  L. 

GEO.  K.  MILLER.  Co.  A. 


Lieut.  A.  L.  FREEMAN,  Co,  K. 
HENRY  P.  SHIFFER,  Lieut.  Co.  B. 
Lieut.  SAMUEL  T.  CRAIG,  Co.  11. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  345 

ticket  in  1869,  '71,  ^3  and  '75,  four  consecutive  terms,  serving'  eight 
years.  He  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Albia, 
Iowa.  Married  May  17th,  1870,  to  Miss  Helen  B.  Higgins,  from  Char- 
dron,  Ohio,  and  had  sons,  Samuel  T.  and  Charles  H.,  and  daug-hters, 
Helen  and  Laura,  and  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WALTER  S.  HANDLEY— COMPANY  H. 

Walter  S.  Handley  was  born  in  Kanawha  county,  West  Virginia. 
May  17th,  1838.  Was  educated  near  Indianapolis,  Indiana.  Enlisted 
in  Company  H  June  13th,  1861.  at  Albia,  Monroe  county,  Iowa.  Re- 
enlisted  in  same  company  January  4th,  1864,  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 
Was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Austin,  Texas,  February  15th,  1866. 

His  present  occupation  is  contractor  and  builder,  and  present  post 
office  address  is  Oswego,  Labette  county,  Wisconsin. 

F.  P.  BURKH ALL— COMPANY  H. 

Was  born  30th  of  September,  1834,  in  Washington  county,  Pennsyl 
vania.  Left  that  State  in  1855.  His  occupation  was  blacksmithing 
and  wagon-making  up  to  1861,  when  he  joined  Company  H,  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  the  company  leaving  Albia  the  29th  day  of  July.  1861,  to  ren 
dezvous  at  Burlington.  Was  sworn  into  the  United  States  service  about 
the  20th  day  of  August,  1861,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war.  Then 
on  the  1st  day  of  January,  1864,  he  re-enlisted  for  three  years  more  or 
during  the  war.  Was  mustered  out  and  discharged  at  Austin,  Texas, 
the  15th  day  of  February,  1866,  and  returned  home  by  land.  Arrived 
home  at  Albia  the  29th  day  of  July,  1866,  just  five  years  to  a  day,  and 
went  to  work  at  his  trade.  In  the  fall  of  1868  was  married  to  Nancy 
Duncan.  Left  Iowa  in  the  spring  of  1872  for  Kansas,  and  made  farm 
ing  his  occupation  with  a  reasonable  degree  of  success. 

CAPTAIN  R.  L.  FREEMAN— COMPANY  K. 

Robert  L.  Freeman  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1828.  His  family 
moved  to  Ohio  a  few  years  after  his  birth,  but  he  did  not  remain  there 
long.  Mr.  Freeman  was  possessed  while  young  with  a  very  roving  dis 
position,  and  while  still  quite  a  lad  he  served  as  cabin  boy  on  a  steamer 
between  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Mexi 
can  war  he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  army  and  went  to  Mexico. 
where  he  was  wounded  by  a  bayonet  and  honorably  discharged  after 
five  months1  service.  The  Captain  still  bears  the  scar  of  the  bayonet 
on  his  right  arm.  and  he  suffered  for  nearly  two  years  with  the  wound. 
In  1849  he  came  to  California  on  a  hunt  for  gold,  working  on  the 

Feather  river  and   at  Mokelumne   Hill.      In  1851    he   returned  via  the 
44 


346  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Isthmus  route  to  Clayton  county,  Iowa.  Here  he  entered  into  business 
and  followed  it  successfully  for  five  years.  During  his  residence  in  Iowa 
he  was  married  to  Mary  L.  Arnold,  who  has  since  shared  his  joys  and 
sorrows  and  is  still  his  loving-  helpmeet.  After  being  in  business  for 
some  time,  Mr.  Freeman  began  the  study  of  law,  passed  an  examination 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1859.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
in  1'861  he  recruited  Company  K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  served  three 
years.  After  the  war  he  was  elected  recorder  of  Clayton  county,  Iowa, 
and  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  for  three  more  terms,  serving  in 
all  four  terms  as  county  recorder.  In  1877  he  removed  to  California, 
taking  up  his  residence  in  Oakland.  About  five  years  ago  he  came  to 
Tulare  county,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He  became  Secretary 
of  the  Alta  Irrigation  District ;  and  in  1889  was  appointed  Receiver  of 
the  United  States  Land  Office  at  Visalia. 

CAPTAIN  THOS.  H.  BARNES— COMPANY  K. 

Dr.  Thos.  H.  Barnes  was  born  at  Coshocton,  Ohio,  in  1832,  and  was 
feared  on  a.  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  when  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  at  Oakland.  Ohio,  and  afterwards  graduated  at  the 
Iowa  State  University.  He  settled  at  Volney.  Iowa,  about  1855,  and 
moved  to  Waukon  about  1858.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  April  15th,  1861,  and  resigned  as  Captain 
December  16th,  1864  He  returned  to  Waukon.  and  again  entered  upon 
his  profession,  in  which  he  was  very  successful.  He  spent  a  great  deal 
of  time  and  money  in  experimental  farming,  and  built  the  first  silo  in 
Iowa,  in  1881. 

Daring  1871-2-3  he  was  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of 
Allamakee  county,  and  in  1880  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  as 
Representative.  His  health  failed  soon  after,  caused  mainly  by  injuries 
to  the  eyes  received  in  service  of  his  country. 

Dr.  Barnes  was  married  in  1854  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Orr.  who  died  in 
1859,  leaving  one  daughter.  Ida,  now  Mrs.  L.  A.  Culbertson,  of  Ottum- 
wa.  Iowa.  In  1862  he  married  Miss  Marion  E.  Ferris,  of  Waukon,  who 
died  November  1st.  1886,  leaving  three  children.  Callie,  William  and 
Florence. 

Dr.  Barnes  was  a  man  of  great  liberality,  a  benefactor  to  the  poor, 
and  few  men  had  more  genuine  friends  in  Allamakee  county  than  he. 
He  moved  to  his  ranche  near  Lattln,  Nebraska,  in  1887,  where  he  died 
June  2d,  1889.  of  general  debility,  caused  by  the  hardships  and  wounds 
received  in  the  service  of  his  country.  He  was  buried  between  two 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  347 

large  pine  trees  on  a  sunny  hillside — a  place  of   his  own   choosing — on 
his  ranch,  where  his  body  sleeps  waiting-  the  last  great  roll  call. 

CAPTAIN  J.  M.  RUSSELL— COMPANY  K. 

James  Mitchell  Russell  was  born  July  12th,  1840,  at  Shelby,  Ohio, 
and  was  educated  in  the  common  school.  Moved  with  his  parents  to 
the  State  of  Michigan  in  1852,  and  in  1856  moved  to  Rossvilfe,  Alla- 
makee  county,  Iowa.  Enlisted  on  the  13th  day  of  June,  1861.  in  Com 
pany  K,  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Served  in  the  grades  of  corporal,  ser 
geant,  first  sergeant.  Second  Lieutenant  and  Captain.  Discharged 
with  the  regiment,  March  16th,  1866,  at  Davenport,  Iowa.  Residence, 
Connellsville.  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania. 

LIEUTENANT  W.  W.  CARPENTER, 

Was  born  in  St.  Albans.  Vermont,  and  came  west  with  his  parents 
to  Wisconsin  when  it  was  a  territory,  and  when  thirteen  years  old  ran 
away  from  home  and  was  with  the  Menomonee  Indians  two  years.  In 
the  meantime  his  father  moved  to  Iowa,  and  he  came  home  in  I860. 
At  the  first  news  of  Fort  Sumter  being  fired  upon,  he  enlisted  for  three 
'months  and  began  recruiting  a  company  in  connection  with  Dr.  T.  H. 
Barnes,  of  Waukon,  Iowa,  but  owing  to  the  rush  of  troops  farther  south 
he  could  not  get  in,  and  shortly  after  enlisted  in  Company  K.  First  Iowa 
Cavalry,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war. 

LIEUTENANT  A.  L.  FREEMAN— COMPANY  K. 

Was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1836.  Came  to  Ohio  in  1842.  Was  ed 
ucated  in  the  high  schools  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Have  lived  in  Indiana, 
in  Illinois,  in  Wisconsin,  in  Minnesota,  in  Iowa,  in  Missouri,  in  Kansas, 
and  now  in  Texas.  Enlisted  in  1861  in  First  Iowa  Cavalry,  at  McGregor. 
Iowa.  Has  been  a  merchant,  farmer,  banker  and  stockman,  and  is 
now  holding  stock  and  in  the  mercantile  business  in  the  Pan  Handle  of 
Texas. 

JOHN  FITZSIMMONS— COMPANY  K. 

Came  to  this  country  in  1850,  from  the  county  of  Down.  Ireland, 
and  lived  in  Jones  county  till  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K. 
and  was  mustered  in  with  the  company  at  Burlington,  and  served  with 
the  regiment  until  1864.  Was  mustered  out  at  Davenport,  September 
9th.  1864.  Rank,  sergeant. 

LIEUTENANT  J.  M.  S1MERAL— COMPANY  L. 

Was  born  March  12th,  1822,  in  Smithfield,  (a  Quaker  community, ) 
Jefferson  county,  Ohio.  Was  educated  at  Franklin  College,  New  Ath- 


348  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ens,  Ohio.  Was  deputy  auditor  and  auditor  of  his  native  county  over 
five  years.  Was  married  to  Miss  M.  Wood,  June  22d,  1852 — all  of 
Steubenville.  Jefferson  county,  Ohio.  Emigrated  to  Dubuque,  Iowa. 
November.  1854.  Is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  at  Omaha. 

H.  J.  LEONARD— COMPANY  L. 

H.  J.  Leonard  was  born  at  Whitesborough,  New  York,  November 
26th,  1836.  In  1838  he  removed  with  his  father  and  the  rest  of  the 
family  to  Roscoe,  Illinois,  and  in  1845  they  settled  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin. 
July  1st.  1861.  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  he  enlisted  under  Captain  H.  H. 
Heath.  Company  L.  First  Iowa  Cavalry.  Was  mustered  into  the  Uni 
ted  States  service  August  18th,  1861,  and  remained  in  the  service  until 
the  regiment  was  mustered  out,  which  was  during  the  year  1866.  He 
then  returned  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  embarked  in  the  manufacture 
of  gloves  and  mittens,  and  has  continued  in  the  business  up  to  the 
present  time — at  present  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  J.  Leonard  Manu 
facturing  Company. 

CHARLES  A.  CHASE — COMPANY  L. 

Was  born  in  Gainesville,  Wyoming  county.  State  of  New  York,  on  f 
the  10th  day  of  March,  1837.  '"A,t  the  age  of  twelve  years  I  was 
thrown  on  my  own  resources,  and  worked  by  the  month  summers,  did 
chores  for  my  board  winters,  and  went  to  school  in  same  county  I  was 
born  in.  My  education  was  limited.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  I  had  ac 
cumulated  enough  wealth  to  go  west  and  grow  up  with  the  country. 
Came  by  boat  to  Chicago  ;  drove  a  team  from  Chicago  in  the  fall  of 
1855  to  Black  Rock  Falls,  Wisconsin  ;  worked' in  the  pineries  that  win 
ter,  and  in  the  spring  of  1856.  with  my  clothes  tied  up  in  a  cotton 
handkerchief.  I  took  it  afoot  nearly  five  hundred  miles  to  Anamosa. 
Iowa.  There  I  ran  across  Wm.  T.  Shaw,  afterward  Colonel  of  the 
Fourteenth  Iowa  Infantry  Volunteers,  bought  ninety  acres  of  land  from 
him,  and  went  to  work  for  him  by  the  month.  Worked  for  him  until  I 
was  married,  and  after  I  was  married  for  nearly  one  year,  when  the 
war  broke  out  and  he  went  to  war.  By  this  time  I  had  got  my  land 
partly  broken  up  and  improved.  The  next  spring  built  a  small  house 
on  it,  and  my  wife,  self  and  small  child,  a  boy  not  a  year  old.  moved 
into  our  new  home.  That  was  in  the  spring  of  1862.  In  August.  1862. 
Lincoln  called  for  300,000  more  men.  I  took  a  train  and  went  to  Du 
buque  and  enlisted  in  Company  L,  First  Regiment  Iowa  Cavalry  Volun 
teers,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war  :  got  a  three  days  furlough, 
went  home,  and  in  three  days  bid  my  young  weeping  wife  with  babe  in 
her  arms  good-bye,  and  started  for  the  front.  Was  not  long  in  getting 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  349 

into  battle  at  Prairie  Grove,  where  we  met  with  a  warm  reception.  1 
helped  to  pull  out  a  mountain  howitzer  there  that  was  between  the  two 
armies  without  receiving  a  scratch,  but  received  two  bullets  in  my 
clothes  at  the  time.  I  re-enlisted  on  the  4th  day  of  January,  1864,  and 
was  mustered  out  the  16th  day  of  February,  1866,  at  Austin,  Texas. 
Got  home  about  the  25th  day  of  March,  1866.  In  a  short  time  went  to 
Omaha,  Nebraska  ;  took  a  tie  contract  on  the  Union  Pacific  railroad  ; 
finished  that ;  went  to  Aurora,  Illinois  ;  engaged  in  the  milling  business 
for  two  years  ;  moved  back  to  Anamosa,  Iowa  ;  went  to  farming  ;  farmed 
for  a  few  years  ;  sold  out  my  farm,  bought  a  drove  of  cattle,  and  drove 
them  to  Laramie  City,  Wyoming  Territory  ;  was  two  months  on  the 
way.  This  was  in  the  year  1874.  Camped  out  with  my  family  all  the 
way — standing  guard  half  the  night  from  Central  City,  Nebraska,  until 
I  reached  Cheyenne,  Wyoming  Territory.  At  Cheyenne  I  received  the 
news  of  General  Custer's  death  by  the  hands  of  the  Sioux  Indians.  I 
did  not  shed  many  tears  over  his  downfall,  as  I  had  suffered  more  hard 
ships  in  six  months  under  him  than  I  did  from  the  time  I  enlisted  until 
the  war  closed  in  the  spring  of  1865 — all  this,  too,  after  the  war  had 
closed  and  it  was  not  necessary  to  inflict  such  punishments  on  the  old 
soldiers  who  had  fought  so  long  and  hard  to  save  the  Union.  I  can  for 
give  but  never  can  forget  him.  I  engaged  in  the  cattle  business  until 
the  year  of  1881  ;  was  very  successful  at  that.  Sold  out  in  1881  ;  went 
to  Rochester,  New  York  ;  engaged  in  the  milling  business  there  ;  was 
successful  at  that,  until  my  health  failed  me  in  1886,  and  I  had  to  close 
up  my  business  there.  Went  to  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  and  by  using 
the  water  from  those  mineral  springs  regained  my  health,  and  to-day 
finds  me  back  at  Laramie  City,  Wyoming,  in  the  wholesale  and  retail 
grocery  business,  after  an  absence  of  seven  years.  During  all  this  time 
my  wife  has  stood  by  me,  and  if  I  am  entitled  to  any  credit,  to  her  be 
longs  more  than  half.  We  are  both  broken  down  in  health,  but  hope 
we  have  enough  of  this  world's  goods  to  last  us  the  few  remaining  years 
we  have  to  spend  here.  I  have  nothing  to  regret  in  my  life,  only  the 
six  months'  service  under  General  Custer.  The  balance  of  my  services 
while  in  the  army  I  always  tried  to  do  my  duty  and  did  it  cheerfully 
and  without  a  murmur,  and  have  always  been  glad  that  I  was  one  that 
helped  to  save  my  country.  I  always  found  a  true  and  good  friend  in 
Colonel  Wm.  T.  Shaw  ;  may  he  live  to  a  good  old  age.  I  have  nothing 
to  say  against  any  of  our  officers  or  men  ;  I  have  a  good  will  for  all — 
don1t  know  that  I  have  an  enemy  either  among  officers  or  men.  I  think 
they  all  tried  to  do  their  duty  as  men  to  the  best  of  their  ability.  It 


350  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

was  a  hard  struggle  and  a  long  struggle,  but  thank   God  our  country 
was  saved." 

HERBERT  L.  MILLS— COMPANY  L. 

Sergeant  Mills  was  born  in  Kalamazoo  county,  Michigan,  July  18th. 
1840.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Bu 
chanan  county,  Iowa,  spending  the  time  summers  breaking  prairie  and 
working  on  the  farm,  and  attending  school  winters,  until  twenty  years 
of  age,  when  he  went  to  Western  College  in  Linn  county,  and  decided 
to  persevere  and  get  a  college  education.  But  when  the  call  came  for 
volunteers  in  1861  he  gave  up  all  and  went  to  his  country's  rescue.  Of 
his  faithful  service,  those  who  were  with  him  can  testify.  While  his 
regiment  was  after  Price  during  his  raid  in  Missouri  he  contracted  the 
rheumatism,  and  was  confined  about  three  months  with  it  in  the  hospi 
tal  at  Jefferson  City,  Missouri,  during  the  winter  of  1884.  While  in  the 
service  of  his  country  his  parents  had  removed  to  Michigan,  and  after 
his  discharge  he  returned  to  them.  His  desire  for  a  better  education 
remained,  and  he  attended  school  at  Olivet  College  during  the  winter  of 
1866-67.  Here  he  became  acquainted  with  Elvira  Tabor,  whom  he 
married,  and  together  they  moved  to  Harrison  county,  Iowa,  where 
they  made  for  themselves  a  home  out  of  the  unbroken  prairie.  But  the 
rheumatism  oft  returned  until  it  refused  to  lessen  its  grip,  and  he  be 
came  a  constant  sufferer  and  unable  to  walk  without  a  cane  or  crutch. 
Six  bright  children  were  given  him,  and  his  first  great  grief  came  in 
the  death  of  his  first  born,  a  boy  of  nine  years,  who  was  killed  by  the 
kick  of  a  horse.  Three  children  were  buried  there,  when  with  failing 
health  he  again  returned  to  Olivet,  Michigan,  with  his  family,  where 
he  still  resides.  He  is  thus  enabled  to  give  his  remaining  children,  two 
young  ladies  and  a  young  lad  named  Herbert  L.,  the  educational  privi 
leges  he  so  much  desired  for  himself.  Helplessness  has  slowly  crept 
upon  him,  until  he  is  now  perfectly  helpless,  unable  to  move  hand  or 
foot.  Has  not  walked  for  nine  years  or  used  a  hand  for  one  year.  But 
the  same  brave,  patient,  cheerful  spirit  is  his  yet  which  he  had  in  the 
army,  and  he  can  say,  "God's  will  be  done.11  He  is  cared  for  by  his 
loving,  faithful  wife  all  these  years,  assisted  by  loving  children  and  an 
aged  mother.  He  receives  a  pension  which  supports  him. 

JOAB  SOMERS— COMPANY  L. 

t 

Was  born  in  Gloucester  county,  New  Jersey,  on  May  4th,  1830.  In 
1835  his  parents  moved  to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  In  1837 
they  migrated  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  near  the  town  of  Springborough. 
Warren  county.  There  he  was  taught  farming  until  1845.  Then  they 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  351 

moved  to  Jay  county,  Indiana,  where  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  some  time,  but  made  farming-  his  principal  busi 
ness  until  1861,  when  he  went  to  Iowa  on  business,  and  worked  at  Delhi 
in  a  nursery  for  Judge  Doolittle  part  of  the  summer,  and  part  of  the 
summer  for  Charles  Fleming,  until  after  the  great  Bull  Run  battle. 
Then,  on  the  28th  day  of  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  at  Dubuque  in  the 
First  Iowa  Cavalry,  under  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren,  and  remained 
in  the  regiment  until  the  15th  day  of  February,  1866,  and  then  resumed 
farming  until  the  last  few  years  when  he  got  past  work. 

LEWIS  E.  DEAN— COMPANY  M. 

Lewis  E.  Dean,  born  at  Granger,  Medina  county,  Ohio,  September 
5th,  1844.  Printer  by  trade.  Enlisted  in  August,  1861.  Married  De 
cember  5th,  1874,  to  Buzzelle  D.  Dinsmore.  Has  two  live  boys,  Charles 
D.  and  Daniel  Abraham.  Was  Grand  Reporter  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
Knights  of  Honor  from  1879  to  1889  ;  likewise  Grand  Secretary  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor  from  its  organization.  Au 
gust  20th,  1879,  up  to  1889.  Was  local  editor  of  Lyons  Weekly  Mirror 
for  a  period  of  seven  or  eight  years,  previous  to  which  he  had  worked 
at  the  case  in  same  institution  as  boy  and  man.  Was  likewise  city  clerk 
of  Lyons,  Iowa,  for  a  term  of  four  years.  Had  been  in  rapidly  failing 
health  for  some  ten  years,  which  finally  culminated  with  a  stroke  of 
paralysis  on  the  19th  of  October,  1888,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
confined  to  bed. 

BENTON  D.  BITNER — FORTY-SIXTH  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  "boys"  will  have  a  warm  place  in  their  hearts  for  him.  Many 
times  he  has  carried  your  old  Surgeon  in  his  arms,  as  tenderly  as  a 
mother  her  babe.  He  once  saved  the  Doctor  from  a  horrible  death. 
The  office  lamp  exploded,  (he  had  no  wheel-chair  at  that  time, )  and  he 
was  alone  and  unable  to  move.  Ben  saw  the  blaze  through  the  window 
and  came  to  his  assistance.  Ben  led  Billy  in  the  procession  that  fol 
lowed  his  master  to  his  last  home. 

BILLY'S  PORTRAIT. 

One  day  recently  Mr.  Fields  took  an  excellent  portrait  of  Billy,  the 
late  Dr.  Chas.  H.  Lothrop's  old  war  horse.  It  is  nearly  a  perfect  picture, 
and  as  the  old  horse  pokes  his  nose  affectionately  toward  Mr.  Ben  Bitner. 
who  holds  his  bridle  rein,  it  seems  as  if  both  would  step  from  the  pic 
ture  and  walk  away. 

Old  Billy  came  into  the  possession  of  Dr.  Lothrop  in  1865,  when  the 
animal  was  five  years  old.  He  is  now  thirty  and  still  lively.  He  was 


352  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

the  Doctor's  sixth  horse.  He  is  a  cross  between  the  blooded  Texan 
horses  and  the  mustangs,  was  originally  a  racer,  and  many  of  the  boys 
of  the  First  Iowa  will  recollect  how  Billy  did  up  ' '  Company  E's  horse  " 
in  a  square  race. 

Billy  was  purchased  in  1865  for  a  sum  in  gold  equivalent  to  five 
thousand  dollars  in  Confederate  scrip.  He  is  a  horse  possessed  of  a 
wonderful  memory,  and  never  forgets  his  friends.  The  animal  was 
never  shod  but  once,  and  then  they  were  obliged  to  take  the  shoes  off, 
as  he  had  not  been  accustomed  to  them. 

CAPTAIN  W.  E.  LEFFINGWELL— COMPANY  B. 

(In  the  absence  of  any  direct  sketch  of  Captain  Leffingwell's  life, 
extracts  from  the  action  taken  by  the  Chicago  bar  and  a  eulogy  later 
delivered  before  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois,  and  a  portion  of  the 
tribute  rendered  him  before  ths  Supreme  Court  of  Iowa  by  one  of  his 
nearest  friends,  are  presented  below.  And  these  pages,  it  should  be 
further  explained,  are  printed  at  the  close  of  the  biographical  notices 
because  the  copy  was  received  too  late  for  insertion  according  to  com 
pany  and  rank.) 

On  September  3d,  1884,  Hon.  William  Barge,  who  was  appointed  by 
Judge  Dickey,  the  chairman  of  the  meeting  of  the  Chicago  bar,  to  pre 
sent  the  resolutions  passed  at  that  meeting  relating  to  the  death  of 
Judge  Leffingweil  to  the  Supreme  Court,  in  performing  that  duty  said  : 

• '  IF  YOUR  HONORS  PLEASE — I  have  been  directed  to  present  the  fol 
lowing  memorial  and  resolutions,  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  Chicago 
bar,  and  ask  that  they  be  made  a  part  of  the  records  of  this  Court : 

' '  '  William  Edward  Leffingweil,  a  member  of  the  Chicago  bar  for 
the  last  ten  years,  has  been  removed  by  death  from  our  midst.  In  his 
day  he  was  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  eminent  lawyers  of  the  Western 
States.  He  went  into  Iowa  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  when  Iowa 
was  a  Territory.  At  an  early  age  he  became  the  foremost  lawyer  of 
his  State.  Among  the  public  positions  held  by  him  were  those  of  Pres 
idential  Elector,  Judge  of  the  District  Court  of  the  district  in  which 
he  lived,  and  President  of  the  Senate  of  the  State,  and  in  the  late 
war  he  commanded  a  company  of  Iowa  volunteers.  As  a  lawyer  he 
was  well  known  not  only  through  Iowa  but  Illinois  also,  and  was  one 
of  the  most  eloquent  advocates  and  successful  counsellors  of  his  day. 
He  was  a  lawyer  of  learning  in  his  profession,  distinguished  also  for  a 
high  degree  of  scholarly  attainments,  and  was  respected  by  the  courts, 
honored  by  the  members  of  the  profession,  and  loved  by  his  clients  and 


Capt,  WM.  E,  LEFFINGWELL, 


COMPANY     B. 


HISTORY  OP  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  353 

friends.  He  was  a  man  of  great  kindness  of  heart,  great  nobility  of  na 
ture,  and  his  inborn  honesty,  everywhere  exhibited,  gave  him  a 
character  for  integrity  in  and  out  of  his  profession  for  which  he  will 
long  be  remembered.'  *  * 

••Judge  Leffingwell  was  born  in  New  London,  Connecticut,  on  the 
9th  day  of  October,  1822.  His  educational  advantages  were  extremely 
poor.  He  never  attended  school  after  he  was  twelve  years  old.  but  his 
vigorons  mind,  aided  by  an  unquenchable  thirst  for  useful  knowledge, 
surmounted  all  obstacles,  and  he  soon  became  a  scholar  and  a  cultured 
gentleman.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  came  west,  and  selecting  the 
Territory  of  Iowa  as  the  place  of  his  future  home,  he  became  a  student 
in  the  law  office  of  Judge  Hastings,  in  Muscatine,  and  after  pursuing  the 
required  course  of  study  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  before  that  Territory 
became  a  State.  Entering  at  once  upon  the  practice  of  the  law.  he 
soon  achieved  the  highest  position  in  his  profession,  and  constantly 
maintained  it  to  the  day  of  his  death.  His  fame  as  a  lawyer  was  not 
confined  to  his  own  State,  but  extended  throughout  the  entire  north 
west.  No  ordinary  man  could  have  risen  to  this  elevation,  and  no 
great  man  without  incessant  labor  gained  such  honorable  distinction  at 
a  bar  containing  upon  its  rolls  such  names  as  Hastings.  Dillon.  Knox. 
Manning,  Arrington  and  Wallace. 

•  •  His  person  was  tall,  well  formed  and  erect,  and  his  presence  ma 
jestic  ;  his  voice  silver-toned  and  melodious,  and  his  manner  of  present 
ing  a  case  clear,  logical  and  eloquent.  He  was  an  orator,  and  aw  an 
advocate  had  few  equals  and  no  superiors. 

•  •  When   his   country  was  in  danger,  near  the   commencement  of  the 
late  war.  he  offered   his  life  in  her  defense,  and  rendered  valuable  ser 
vices  on  the  fields  of  battle   while   in   command  of   a  company  of   Iowa 
cavalry,  which  he  had    been    largely  instrumental  in  recruiting  for  that 
service. 

•  •  But  he  is  gone.      His    familiar  face,  and  kind  voice,  arid   generous 
hand,  we  will  see.  and  hear,  and  clasp  no  more  forever.     Stricken  down 
in  the  street  in  Chicago   several   years   since,   by  paralysis,  from  which 
he  never  fully  recovered,  and  receiving  a  second  and  third  attack  of  the 
same  disease  last  spring,  he  died  on  the  13th  of  August.  1884.  in  Lyons. 
Iowa,  surrounded  by  his  wife  and    children,  whose  loving  hands  did  a.ll 
that  earthly  hands  could  do  to  ameliorate  his   sufferings   and  wipe  the 
death-damp   from  his   aching   brow.     His  warfare  of  life  is  ended  ;    his 
last  cause  tried  ;    and  he  appears  for  judgment  in  the  court  from  which 
there  is  no  appeal,  and  in  which  there  is  no  error.      And   I  can  but  now 

45 


354  HISTORY  or  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

say  for  myself  and  his  many  sorrowing-  friends — just  judge,  great  law 
yer,  and  true  patriot,  hail  and  farewell ! v 

Hon.  L.  A.  Ellis,  of  Lyons,  represented  the  Clinton  county  bar,  the 
county  of  Judge  Leffingw  ell's  residence,  before  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Iowa,  and  from  his  eulogy  the  following  is  quoted  : 

•'MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONORS — I  had  an  extended  and  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  Hon.  Wm.  E.  Leffingwell,  as  a  townsman  and 
neighbor.  When  I  came  to  the  bar  and  became  a  resident  of  this  State. 
he  was  in  the  meridian  of  his  life  and  fame.  He  had  already  partici 
pated  in  the  legislation  of  the  State  ;  had  presided  on  the  District  bench 
of  the  Seventh  Judicial  District,  and  had  won  his  way  to  a  first  place 
as  an  advocate  and  jurist,  among  those  who  were  qualified  to  adorn  any 
bar  in  the  country. 

•  •  As  a  friend  he  was  generous  and  magnanimous,  and  no  sacrifice 
was  too  great  for  those  in  distress  who  appealed  to  him  for  help.  Like 
the  great  cardinal,  he  might  be 

"  '  Lofty  and  sour  to  them  that  loved  him  not, 

But  to  those  men  who  sought  him,  sweet  as  summer.' 

•  •  He  may  have  had  his  failings   and  enemies — who  of  us  has  not  ? — 
but  now  that  he  is  gone,  even  the  tongue  of  criticism,  that  might  aim 
its  arrows  at  the  living,  will  respect  the  maxim — De  Mortuis  nil  nisi 
bonum. 

'  •  Take  him  all  in  all.  as  he  went  in  and  out  before  us.  it  is  not  ex 
travagant  eulogy  to  say  he  seemed 

"  '  One  upon  whom  every  god  had  set  his  seal 
To  give  assurance  of  a  man.' 

••Standing  here  in  this  Court  to-day,  where  he  has  so  often  stood, 
in  the  presence  of  your  Honors,  who  have  so  often  granted  him  audi 
ence  as  an  oracle  in  the  temple  of  justice,  we  observe  no  imperfections, 
but  rather  treasure  his  memory  as  a  star  in  our  profession  of  the  first 
magnitude,  and  regret  that  it  has  so  soon  gone  below  the  horizon  to  re 
appear  no  more  to  the  gaze  of  men. 

•  •  His  career  was  cut  short  by  a  stroke  of  that  disease  which  so  fre 
quently  assails  men  subject  to  great  mental  strain  and  exhaustion. 

••  His  work  is  done,  and  nobly  done  :  and  such  a  life  is  more  than 
the  mere  dull  round  of  many  years. 

"  '  We  live  in  deeds  not  years,  in  thought  not  breath, 
In  feelings  not  in  figures  on  the  dial. 
We  should  count  time  hy  heart-throbs  ;  he  most  lives 
Who  thinks  most,  feels  the  noblest,  acts  the  best.' 
••  May  we  not  hope,  as  Judge  Leffingwell  did.  that  -the  grave  is  not 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  355 

the  goal/  and  that  the  soul,  so  capable  of  grasping  intangible  things, 
and  living  in  the  world  of  thought  while  cumbered  with  the  tenement 
of  clay,  is  as  imperishable  as  its  Author  :  and  that  in  more  congenial 
realms,  reunited,  we  will  realize  that  complete  development,  happiness, 
and  fruition,  which,  while  they  ever  haunt  our  aspirations,  always 
elude  our  grasp  in  this  world.1'1 


REMINISCENCES. 


THE  VIDETTE  POST. 

BY  J.    R.   MARTIN,   COMPANY   E. 

Comrades,  we  greet  you  with  outstretched  hand. 
And  welcome  you  loyally  to  our  band. 
We  have  met  to  renew  the  ties  that  bind 
Comrade  to  comrade,  and  here  to  find 

Fresh  memories  of  the  long  ago  : 
And  as  we  recall  those  days  of  strife 
That  made  up  the  sum  of  our  army  life. 
Let  us  not  forget  that  the  "  Angel  of  Peace" 
Has  issued  the  edict,   •  •  Let  anger  cease. 

And  hail  as  a  friend  your  old-time  foe." 

As  I  sit  and  muse  on  those  days  of  strife. 
What  pictures  arise  of  our  army  life  ; 
How  each  thrilling  episode  comes  to  mind. 
And  I  turn  from  the  dream  with  a  sigh  to  find 

We're  but  fighting  our  battles  over  again  : 
Hut  Fll  try  to  paint,  in  my  feeble  way. 
Some  of  the  scenes  when  "  Blue  met  Gray." 
And  the  whole  world  stared  at  the  bloody  fray. 
As  the  war  clouds  lowered  in  the  light  of  day, 

And  the  night  wind  sobbed  over  mangled  men. 

I  shall  not  attempt  to  paint  the  strife, 
Or  the  awful  carnage  that  withered  life  : 
Too  dark  is  the  picture,  you  know  it  well. 
How  your  heart  was  wrung  when  your  comrades  fell. 
And  you  wept  to  see  them  die  : 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  357 

But  we'll  talk  of  the  high  old  times  in  camp, 
And  the  capers  we  cut  when  out  on  a  tramp. 
And  think  with  a  smile  how  we  used  to  buck 
At  the  little  game  that  we  called  "chuck  luck.1" 
Though  the  game  sometimes  made  us  cry. 
There  were  lonesome  hours  on  the   "picket  post.1' 
When  we  watched  with  the  stars  our  sleeping  host. 
And  the  minutes  seemed  hours  as  we  strained  our  eyes 
That  our  comrades  might  suffer  no  surprise 

Through  any  neglect  of  ours  ; 
And  the  very  silence  seemed  fraught  with  sound. 
And  the  fall  of  a  twig  caused  our  hearts  to  bound. 
And  we  strained  our  eyes  to  pierce  the  gloom 
That  seemed  close  as  the  walls  of  a  darkened  room. 

As  wearily  dragged  the  hours. 
You  remember  it,  comrades,  a  gruesome  place. 
Where  the  darkness  seemed  only  to  hide  the  face 
Of  a  skulking  foe,  and  you  almost  thought 
You  could  hear  the  • '  click  "  that  precedes  a  shot. 
And  you  fairly  held  your  breath  ; 

And  it.  seemed  to  you  that  the  beat  of  your  heart 

Would  be  heard  by  the  enemy  in  the  dark. 

And  serve  as  a  guide  to  mark  the  spot 
'That  he  might  more  surely  speed  the  shot 
That  might  lay  you  cold  in  death. 

Yes,  weVe  been  there,  comrades,  and  know  that  while 

We  were  not  afraid  (?  ),  yet  a  peaceful  smile 

WTould  break  through  the  camp-fire  smoke  on  our  faces. 

And  we  never  objected  to  yielding  our  places 
To  the  sentinels  who  came  to  relieve  us  ; 

And  heaving  a  sign  of  perfect  content, 

We  would  shoulder  our  carbines  and  seek  our  tent. 

(A  "  dog  tent1'  generally,)  there  to  repose, 

And  dreaming  of  loved  ones  forget  the  woes 
Of  our  lot.  if  the  foe  would  let  us. 

You  may  talk  of  the  battle  field,  and  tell 

Of  the  terrible  havoc  that  bullet  and  shell 

Made  in  our  ranks — but  then,  you  know, 

That  was  "  give  and  take,"  and  we  had  the  foe 
In  front,  and  our  comrades  around  : 


3.58  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

But  that  lonely  vigil,  with  no  one  near, 
That  long  two  hours,  when  eye  and  ear 
Were  strained  to  the  utmost  to  see  and  hear, 
And  even  the  trees  and  bushes  appear 

Like  an  enemy  sprung  from  the  ground — 
Will  try  the  nerve  of  the  bravest  man 
That  ever  cooked  meat  in  a  frying-pan, 
Or  boiled  his  coffee  in  an  old  tin  can 
That  once  held  fruit,  but  now,  second-hand, 

Serves  him  as  a  coffee-pot. 
Oh,  that  can  cost  money,  for  the  sutler,  well- 
Look  at  his  features,  they  will  tell 
That  he  knew  how  to  buy,  and  how  to  sell, 
But  still  even  he  sometimes  caught  — 

When  things  got  too  awfully  hot. 

But  then,  you  know,  on  the  other  hand, 
That  we  often  feasted  on  Southern  ham, 
And  "slapjacks1'  that  would  kill  any  other  man 
Than  one  who  was  fighting  for  "  Uncle  Sam  v 

And  wearing  the  Federal  Blue.11 

And  the  chickens  (?),  oh  hush! — why,  they  seemed  to  know 
That  when  we  appeared  they  had  no  more  show 
Than  a  ' '  Methodist  quarterly  meeting  "  would  give 
To  aught  but  the  oldest  and  toughest  to  live, 

And  they  were  not  sure  to  get  through. 
Ah  well !   one  thing's  certain — we  had  our  fun, 
And  when  the  rebs  wouldn:t,  why  we  could  run  ; 
Yes,  and  get  over  ground  at  a  rattling  rate, 
That  we  couldn't  match  now  were  our  lives  at  stake, 

For  we're  a  quarter  of  a  century  older. 
But  sometimes,  while  limping  along  with  my  cane. 
I  forget,  till  some  confounded  rheumatic  pain 
Comes  on  with  its  miserably  horrid  clutch. 
And  reminds  me  that  now  is  my  day  for  the  crutch 

Instead  of  the  sword  of  a  soldier — 

And  that  I  have  grown  old — Why,  my  heart  is  as  young 
As  it  was  in  the  days  when  we  lustily  sung 
'Round  our  camp-fires  our  old  army  songs, 
Or  studied  up  plans  which  should  redress  the  wrongs 
And  save  the  old  flag  from  defeat. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  359 

But  that  day  has  gone  by — yet  here  let  me  say 
How  I  prize  its  dear  memory;  ah  yes,  and  they, 
My  old  comrades,  who  in  those  thrilling-  hours 
So  manfully  breasted  the  heat  and  the  showers, 

Till  the  foe  was  forced  to  retreat. 
Then,  comrades,  though  scattered,  and  many,  alas, 
Have  stood  their  last  ''picket,1'  received  their  last  -pass"- 
A  pass  which  I  trust  and  believe  leads  above, 
Where  the  only  countersign  asked  for  is  Love, 

And  each  one  is  hailed  as  a  friend — 
Let  us  close  up  our  ranks  as  our  comrades  fall  out, 
And  keep  unbroken  line,  till  at  length  with  a  shout 
We  receive  the  "last  order,"  the  battle  is  won, 
Your  marchings  are  over,   the  warfare  is  done, 

And  glory  and  peace  is  the  end. 
SHAWNEETOWN,  September  17th,  1886. 

A   FLOCK  OF  GEESE  AND  A  HORNET'S  NEST. 

BY  CAPTAIN  H.   8.   HEBERLING,   COMPANY  B. 

Sergeant  H.  J.  Leonard,  of  Company  L,  informed  me  that  on  a  cer 
tain  occasion,  while  on  a  scout,  just  after  having  gone  into  camp  about 
dark,  he  threw  a  club  at  a  flock  of  geese  and  struck  Colonel  Dan  Ander 
son  on  the  calf  of  the  leg.  Query  :  What  was  Colonel  Anderson  do 
ing  in  such  close  proximity  to  the  geese  ? 

One  pleasant  morning  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  after  the  command  had 
been  marching  some  thirty  hours,  we  were  halted  in  the  woods  some 
miles  out  on  our  return  to  camp,  obliqued  to  right  and  left  of  road,  and 
dismounted  to  allow  men  and  horses  to  rest.  While  the  men  lay  in 
groups  talking,  and  the  poor  jaded  horses  nipping  the  leaves  here  and 
there,  and  the  boys  talked  of  the  hard  riding  and  the  jaded  condition  of 
the  horses,  private  Fred  Miller's  horse  going  rather  farther  into  the 
woods  than  the  rest,  was  observed  by  Fred  to  be  peculiarly  lively,  when 
he  remarked,  "See  Joe,  boys,  he  feels  tarn  goot, "  and  thinking  Joe 
might  be  getting  too  far  away  went  after  him,  and  in  doing  so  ran  slap 
dab  over  a  hornet's  nest.  Taking  off  his  old  hat,  striking  and  jumping 
furiously,  he  returned  in  good  order,  shouting,  ' '  Vassups !  boys  !  vas- 
sup  !  vassups  !  " 

MAJOR  TOM  BEREMAN'S  EXPERIENCE. 

BY  J.  R.  MARTIN,    COMPANY  E. 

Ah  !    that  last  trip  to  the  Saline.     Do  I  not  remember  it  ?     Myself 


360  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

and  Sergeant  Wildasin  were  together,  and  that  one  awful  night  were 
more  fortunate  than  many  of  the  boys,  as  we  had  selected  a  knoll  where 
an  old  pine  had  fallen,  crushing  an  ash  in  its  fall.  We  gathered  the 
top  and  splinters  of  the  ash  together  and  made  a  rousing  fire,  built  our 
bed  high  with  pine  boughs  and  young  pines,  and  were  for  that  time 
comfortable.  Some  time  in  the  night  1  was  awakened,  and  found  Major- 
Tom,  Bereman  standing  out  in  the  rain,  warming  one  side  into  steam 
while  the  other  was  running  water.  I  asked  him  what  was  the  matter. 
Well,  it  would  be  hardly  fair  to  report  the  "emphatic11  reply  he  gave 
me,  but  his  tent  had  gone  down  on  him  and  he  was  nearly  drowned  be 
fore  he  could  get  out.  He  said  we  had  the  only  fire  in  the  command, 
and  he  had  waded  sometimes  clear  up  to  his — ankles  to  get  to  it.  I  told 
him  to  get  in  out  of  the  wet,  we  could  make  room,  and  he  did.  hanging 
his  dripping  coat  on  a  convenient  limb  of  one  of  our  crotched  supports 
not  cut  too  close  ;  and  as  our  tent  was  our  two  rubber  blankets  spliced 
and  set  up  shedwise,  with  the  opening  to  the  fire,  you  may  be  sure  it 
was  dry  and  warm  inside.  The  Major  dropped  off  to  sleep,  breathing 
anathemas  against  Arkansas.  In  the  morning  I  woke  him  when  break 
fast  was  ready,  to  what  ?  ' '  Hard-tack  and  S.  B.  ?"  Not  a  bit  of  it,  but 
to  all  the  southern  cured  ham  and  good  flour  "flapjacks11  he  could  eat ; 
as  good  as  any  hungry  man  would  ask  for.  He  was  not  the  officer  that 
morning  to  ask  how  I  came  by  such  feed.  If  he  had,  I  should  have 
suggested  that  it  rained  down.  I  was  told  by  some  one  who  overheard 
him,  that  he  said  to  some  of  the  other  disconsolate  officers  that  he  had 
eaten  the  best  breakfast  that  morning  that  he  had  ever  eaten  in  his  life, 
describing  it  to  them.  What  ?  Ham  and  pancakes  and  coffee  !  Where 
could  soldiers  get  under  present  orders  such  a  meal  as  that  ?  "Do  you 
suppose  I  was  d — d  fool  enough  to  ask  them?11  replied  Bereman  :  ••  I 
was  too  glad  to  get  some.11 

I  knew  where  it  came  from,  and  had  an  adventure  in  getting  safe  in 
with  it — or  rather  them,  for  I  had  five  fine  hams  and  all  the  flour  I 
could  put  in  a  pillow  case — and  was  arrested  too  by  the  First  Missouri 
Cavalry,  but  dodged  out  of  their  hands  at  a  convenient  cow  path, 
(there  was  always  a  fellow  feeling  in  the  ranks,  especially  when  one 
had  a  ham  to  spare, )  and  dashed  through  the  woods  until  I  was  ahead 
of  that  obstruction  and  safe.  I  will  say  in  justice  to  myself,  nothing 
but  something  to  eat  did  I  ever  take  ;  and  once  at  the  muzzle  of  my  re 
volver  I  compelled  a  brute  of  the  Illinois  cavalry  to  restore  to  a  young 
lady  a  gold  pencil  case  he  had  taken  from  her.  Yet  I  never  went  hun 
gry,  and  only  subsisted  on  hard  tack  and  S.  B.  (summum  bonum)  when 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  361 

1  was  confined  to  camp  so  closely  that  I  could  not  get  out — and  that  was 
not  often.  Some  of  our  adventures  were  ridiculous  enough,  the  Lord 
knows,  and  some  had  a  sharp  spice  of  danger.  But  we  always  got  our 
meat. 

TOO  MUCH  FOR  THE  GENERAL. 

While  we  were  returning  from  our  second  Camden  (Arkansas)  expe 
dition,  under  General  Carr.  in  February,  1865,  and  it  rained  twenty- 
eight  out  of  the  thirty  days  from  the  time  we  left  Little  Rock  until  we 
camped  at  Fine  Bluffs,  the  country  Hooded  and  the  roads  almost  impass 
ible,  with  only  half  rations  to  the  boys,  there  was  naturally  much 
suffering,  and  of  course  a  great  deal  of  grumbling  indulged  in.  I  re 
member  one  day,  as  we  were  marching  along  and  the  rain  was  if  possi 
ble  a  little  heavier  and  colder  than  usual,  that  George  Hill,  the  tallest 
and  one  of  the  best  soldiers  in  our  company  (E),  was  relieving  his 
feelings  by  calling  down  all  the  anathemas  known  to  a  soldier's  vocab 
ulary  (and  it  is  unabridged)  on  the  weather.,  the  country,  and  every 
thing  pertaining  to  army  life,  when  General  Carr.  who  was  riding  by. 
overhearing  him,  checked  his  horse  and  began  to  rebuke  him.  saying. 
"  No  good  soldier  would  be  guilty  of  such  language."  and  he  wanted  to 
hear  no  more  of  it.  "  Well,  General."  said  Hill.  "  I  don't  want  to  brag 
on  myself,  "  but  when  there  is  a  muss  on  hand  I  guess  the  boys  will 
tell  you  I  am  generally  there.  But  1  want  to  tell  you  one  thing  :  If  I 
ever  live  to  get  home,  and  have  the  luck  to  get  married,  and  I  should 
have  children,  when  I  sit  down  by  my  fireside  and  tell  them  about  this 
trip,  if  they  don't  cry  Fll  whale  hell  out  of  them  !"  It  is  needless  to 
say  that  the  General  rode  on.  followed  by  shouts  of  laughter  from  the 
••boys." 

THE  EXPERIENCE  OF  A  RAW  RECRUIT. 

Of  course  all  of  the  boys  remember  "  Camp  Sorghum."  at  Little 
Rock,  just  below  town.  That  is  where  I  with  seven  other  "raw  re 
cruits'1  first  found  the  grand  old  regiment  for  which  we  enlisted,  but 
had  been  held  awhile  at  Camp  McClellan,  Davenport,  to  guard  a  lot  of 
Sioux  Indians  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  Minnesota  massacres. 

Well,  we  got  to  camp  wet.  cold  and  hungry,  for  we  had  ridden  from 
Uuvall's  Bluffs  on  a  flat  car.  through  a  pelting  cold  rain,  over  that 
dismal  Brownsville  prairie  ;  crossed  the  pontoon  bridge  and  camp  just 
as  it  was  growing  dark  ;  and  to  our  unaccustomed  eyes,  what  a  dismal 
looking  place.  The  water  was  all  over  the  ground,  and  in  the  gather 
ing  gloom  the  lines  of  •  •  dog  tents 11  presented  much  the  appearance  of 

a  muskrat  village  out  in  one  of  those  northwest  Iowa  marshes,  only  that 
46 


862  HISTORY   OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

there  was  more  regularity  in  their  distribution.  But  we  received  a 
hearty  welcome,  albeit  not  a  little  mixed  with  the  badinage  which,  for 
some  reason  beyond  my  ken.  always  prompts  the  "old  soldier11  to  pour 
out  on  the  head  of  every  recruit,  until  he  has  been  with  them  under 
• '  fire,  '*  their  doubts  as  to  his  standing"  the  test. 

That  was  early  in  November.  1863,  and  our  winter  quarters  were  not 
yet  erected.  I  remember  I  learned  to  use  a  froe  and  rive  out  cypress 
clapboards  before  I  learned  to  forage,  though  the  last  seemed  to  come 
more  natural.  What  a  time  we  had  there  that  fall  until  the  last  of  No 
vember  !  It  was  rain.  rain,  rain  ;  and  mud  deep  enough  to  swamp  an 
alligator  ;  and  it  was  a  matter  to  boast  of  to  succeed  in  crawling  into 
our  dog  tents  without  getting  knees  and  hands  plastered  with  southern 
soil,  or  finding  our  blankets  and  other  things  swimming  around  like 
tadpoles  in  a  mud  puddle.  However,  we  had  some  beautiful  weather 
afterward,  during  which  we  got  up  our  quarters  and  long  sheds  for  our 
horses  ;  and  none  too  soon  either,  for  the  holidays  of  '63  and  '64  were 
terrible  for  that  climate,  and  it  held  till  the  Arkansas  river  was  frozen 
over  below  the  pontoon  bridge — something  that  the  oldest  inhabitants 
(and  they  generally  remember  something  to  cap  the  climax)  confessed 
they  had  never  seen  before,  and  suggested  that  the  d — d  Yankees  had 
brought  their  climate  along  with  them. 

Among  the  other  cavalry  regiments  stationed  at  Little  Rock  that 
winter,  I  have  a  lively  recollection  of  the  Fourth  Arkansas  (Union),  the 
worst  mixed  up  lot  1  ever  saw,  though  there  were  some  good  men  and 
officers  among  them — notably  of  the  last  Major  Vincent,  who  was  a 
thorough  gentleman,  a  good  officer,  and  a  well  read  man.  Still  it  oc 
curred  somehow  that  our  horses  not  having  the  stay  at  home  brand  of 
II.  S.  on  them  got  into  a  singular  habit  of  straying  oft',  and  by  some 
strange  circumstance  we  usually  found  that  they  had  strayed  into  the 
camp  of  the  Fourth  Arkansas.  Some  of  our  boys  being  of  a  suspicious 
nature,  and  outspoken  enough  to  give  vent  to  it.  made  some  remarks 
which  caused  for  a  time  a  coolness  so  to  speak  between  the  two  regi 
ments.  But  they  were  not  of  a  revengeful  disposition,  as  was  fully 
proven  by  the  reply  of  one  of  their  sergeants,  who.  when  passing  our 
camp  with  some  of  his  men,  and  a  number  of  our  boys  whose  horses 
had  strayed  (?  )  oft'  began  jeering  them,  stopped,  and  in  a  pathetic  tone 
remarked.  ••  Yovruns  don't  appear  to  think  much  of  we'uns.  but  we'uns 
think  yoifuns  are  right  peart."  That  settled  it — like  the  boy  at  the 
frolic  we  had  no  more  to  say.  though  a  very  audible  smile  went  round. 
But  their  Colonel — wasn't  he  --a  daisy?"  I  can  see  him  now  in  my 


HISTORY   OF  FIRST   IOWA  CAVALRY. 

mind's  eye — a  great,  tall,  lank,  lantern,  jawed  specimen  of  a  genuine 
••  Arkansaw  rosin  scraper,"  who  couldn't  answer  a  question  to  save  his 
life  without  first  asking-,  "Wall,  stranger,  what  mought  your  name 
be?11  He  was  economical,  though,  for  his  entire  uniform  was  drawn 
from  the  Quartermaster's  department,  and  consisted  of  the  regular  uni 
form  issued  to  privates  in  the  infantry.  The  sleeves  of  the  coat  and  the 
legs  of  the  pants  were  all  about  .six  inches  too  short  for  his  upper  and 
lower  limbs  ;  but  he  was  gorgeous  in  his  shoulder  straps.  They  were 
of  the  finest,  and  used  to  remind  me  of  a  pair  of  tired  American  eagles 
taking  a  rest  on  the  opposite  top  branches  of  a  dead  sycamore.  And 
his  original  manner  of  giving  the  order  to  mount :  •  •  Prepare  for  to  git 
onto  your  critters — Git  I11  Why,  it  was  enough  to  make  the  horses  of 
his  regiment  send  in  a  petition  to  swap  places  with  government  mules. 
I  believe  though  he  was  finally  discharged  for  incapacity,  a  mild  army 
term  for  imbecility. 

There  was  one  sad  incident  that  occurred  that  winter,  in  February  I 
think,  that  I  was  eye  witness  to.  That  was  the  hanging  of  young  Da 
vid  ().  Dodd  as  a  spy.  He  was  a  mere  boy.  though  a  smart  one,  and 
while  he  was  amenable  under  military  law  to  his  fate,  yet  his  heroic- 
bearing  at  the  scaffold  won  my  sympathy.  I  have  no  doubt  that,  raised 
as  he  had  been,  he  thought  he  was  in  the  right. 

But  I  forgot — this  is  to  be  an  amusing  sketch,  to  bring  back  to  mind 
the'days  when  the  familiar  hail  was  "  Jump  off  and  grab  a  root."  Well, 
here  goes  for  one  on  myself  :  While  I  was  still  ••  raw."  (and  so  was  the 
weather  that  morning, )  I  was  detailed  for  camp  guard.  Having  been 
on  duty  the  day  before,  patrolling,  1  did  not  expect  it,  and  had  loaned 
my  gloves  to  one  of  my  comrades  to  go  on  picket,  for  the  weather  was 
cold,  and  as  you  know  we  only  wore  our  side  arms,  and  I  was  a  tender 
plant,  having  been  raised  a  pet.  While  Adjutant  Donnell  was  going 
through  the  usual  formula  of  detailing  us  into  reliefs.  I  put  my  hands 
in  my  pants  pockets  for  warmth,  when  he  suddenly  accosted  me  with. 
'•What  is  your  company,  sir?'"  "Company  E,'?  I  replied,  thinking 
that  perhaps  he  had  discovered  in  my  expressive  countenance  some  evi 
dence  of  the  lurking  genius  which  should  soon  raise  me  from  the  ranks  : 
and  he  had,  but  not  exactly  as  the  heroes  of  the  ten  cent  war  libraries 
go  up — not  much.  • '  Sergeant  of  Company  E,  march  that  man  off  to 
the  guard  house,  and  the  next  time  he  comes  on  guard  mount  perhaps 
he  will  know  enough  to  keep  his  hands  out  of  his  pockets."'  Well,  I 
believe  I  did  after  that,  though  I  only  rusticated  there  about  ten  min 
utes,  for  Sergeant  Wildasin  reported  the  case  to  Lieutenant  Nugen, 


364  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

who  was  in  temporary  command  that  day,  as  Captain  Bereman  was 
away,  and  he  went  over  and  made  some  remarks  more  forcible  probably 
than  polite,  to  the  Adjutant,  (he  had  seen  me  lend  my  gloves,)  and 
they  came  and  released  me.  I  can  laugh  at  it  now,  but  I  tell  you,  boys, 
it  hurt  then.  That  was  my  first  and  last  visit  to  the  guard  house  as  a 
prisoner. 

HOW  CAPTAIN  CALDWELL  BECAME  "OLD  SORGHUM." 

BY  J.    H.    SPRINGER,    COMPANY  I. 

( )ne  incident  of  our  experiences  in  the  field  during  the  rebellion 
afforded  a  great  deal  of  amusement  for  the  "boys.11  and  gave  to  one  of 
our  gallant  officers  a  nom  de  plume  which  never  left  him  during  his 
term  of  service.  While  on  a  scout  from  Butler,  Missouri,  under  Colonel 
Warren,  we  had  marched  the  greater  part  of  the  night.  In  the  early 
morning1  we  were  halted  in  a  lane,  near  a  farm  house,  waiting  a  report 
from  the  advance.  A  number  of  the  boys  dismounted  and  entered  the 
yard  and  house.  Colonel  Warren  ordered  them  into  ranks  again. 
Some  of  them  were  very  slow  in  obeying  orders,  whereupon  the  Colonel 
dismounted  and  went  in  after  them.  Some  of  the  boys  ran  around  the 
house,  with  the  now  irritated  Colonel  after  them.  When  he  reached 
the  kitchen  door,  which  was  open,  he  looked  in  and  beheld  a  sight  that 
sadly  shocked  his  military  dignity.  The  previous  irritation  became  an 
indignant  disgust,  for  one  of  his  gallant  Captains  was  quietly  seated 
before  a  cupboard,  with  a  biscuit  in  one  hand  and  a  pitcher  of  sorghum 
molasses  in  the  other,  busily  engaged  in  his  attempts  to  crush  the  re 
bellion  by  bringing  disaster  and  starvation  upon  the  inhabitants, 
regardless  of  all  the  surroundings.  The  Colonel  in  his  uncontrollable 
wrath  in  stentorian  tones  called  out.  -Captain  ("aid well,  what  in  h- — 11 
are  you  doing  here  ?  "  The  placid  Captain,  without  looking  up.  and 
taking  another  dip  of  the  biscuit  in  the  sorghum,  quietly  replied.  •  •  Eat 
ing  sorghum,  sir."  From  that  time  he  became  Captain  Sorghum.  Major 
Sorghum  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sorghum,  and  the  applied  name  was 
accepted  by  him  with  characteristic  grace.  He  was  not  a  polished 
military  man.  but  was  ever  ready  for  duty  and  always  did  it  well.  A 
brave  man,  a  gallant  soldier. 

HOW  NOT  TO  HAVE  BEES  STING  YOU  IN  THE  MOUTH. 

BY    W.    K.    EGGLESTON,    COMPANY  G. 

April  10th.  The  pioneer  corps  cut  a  bee  tree  to-day,  and  I  among 
others  got  some  honey  and  some  stings.  Taking  the  advice  of  a  by 
stander,  who  said  he  was  "  af eared1'  of  bees,  but  that  they  would  not 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  365 

sting    you  in  the   mouth   if  you   didn't  "  chaw  'em,"    I  paid  regard  to 
what  I  was  chawing  and  avoided  bad  consequences. 

A  SOUR  MILK  RECEPTION. 

Nov.  29th.  While  out  on  a  scouting  expedition,  one  of  our  boys 
strayed  from  the  ranks  and  entered  a  house.  In  a  few  moments  we  saw 
him  emerge  on  the  jump,  while  in  the  rear  and  close  upon  him,  with 
hair  flying  wildly  in  the  air.  was  a  woman  with  a  bucket  of  sour  milk, 
and  ere  he  could  escape  he  was  covered  from  head  to  heels  with  the 
contents.  Undoubtedly  it  served  him  right.  He  was  greeted  with  loud 
cheers  by  the  boys. 

A  DUCKING  BEE  AND  A  SMALL  INSURRECTION. 

While  in  camp  on  the  Arkansas  river  above  Little  Rock,  in  1864.  wo 
had  quite  an  exciting  time  for  awhile  under  the  following  circumstan 
ces  :  A  colored  boy,  Harry,  Major  Jenks1  servant,  had  been  to  a 
plantation  near  camp  and  insulted  a  little  girl  about  eleven  years  old. 
She  and  her  mother  came  to  camp  and  complained  to  the  Major.  Col 
lecting  several  negroes  together,  he  called  the  girl  to  identify  the  one 
who  had  insulted  her.  Without  any  hesitation  she  pointed  out  Harry. 
The  Major  put  him  in  charge  of  six  men,  who  took  him  down  to  the 
river,  and  getting  into  a  small  boat  they  pulled  out  from  shore.  Hav 
ing  tied  a  rope  around  him  under  his  arms,  they  compelled  him  to 
jump  overboard.  When  he  came  up  he  scrambled  into  the  boat,  nearly 
overturning  it.  Again  he  was  sent  in.  and  this  time  he  struck  for 
the  shore,  but  when  he  reached  the  end  of  the  rope  a  strong  pull  sub 
merged  him.  Then  he  again  climbed  into  the  boat,  in  spite  of  efforts 
to  prevent  him.  They  now  returned  to  camp,  but  evidences  of  strong 
feeling  were  manifested  among  the  boys  near  the  landing,  and  soon 
they  came  up  to  headquarters  where  Harry  was.  Jenks  had  evidently 
seen  everything,  and  Lieutenants  Hosford  and  Townsend  were  both 
with  him,  all  having  their  side  arras  on.  The  crowd  soon  arrived,  and 
while  the  greater  part  of  it  formed  around  the  officers,  one,  a  member 
of  the  First  Missouri  Cavalry,  charged  at  Harry  and  caught  his  arms 
from  behind,  the  latter  screaming  • '  Major  !  Major  !  "  Major  Jenks 
jumped  upon  a  log  and  commanded,  "Release  that  negro  !  "  "Things 
go  by  order  here/'  said  Hosford.  The  fellow  needed  no  second  order, 
but  as  he  released  his  hold  he  tried  to  hide  in  the  crowd,  exclaiming  as 
he  did  so  :  "Yes.  boys,  let  him  go — you  had  all  better  go  to  your  quar 
ters  who  will  not  do  as  you  agree  and  stand  up  to  your  work  like  men." 
"Arrest  that  man  and  bring  him  before  me,11  said  Jenks.  This  was 


366  HISTORY  OF  FIRST   IOWA  CAVALRY. 

done  at  once,  and  as  he  came  before  Jenks  the  Major  said  :  •  •  Now,  sir. 
take  a  good  look  at  me.  (The  Major  was  a  robust,  "  well  built1'  man.) 
Do  you  think  you  are  a  man  of  my  build  ?  I  will  have  you  understand 
I  command  here.'1  Then  turning-  to  the  crowd  he  said  :  "The  negro 
has  received  all  the  punisment  he  shall  receive  at  present.  I  have  no 
authority  to  take  a  man's  life  if  I  wished  to  do  so.  Now  disperse,  and 
let  ,me  see  no  more  such  gatherings,  or  I  will  punish  every  participant." 
And  this  ended  the  matter. 

WHY  GIBBS  APPEARED  WITH  A  BAD  HAT. 

In  our  company  we  had  a  recruit  by  the  name  of  Gibbs  who  was  not 
very  particular  as  to  his  appearance.  He  came  out  on  inspection  one 
day  minus  a  portion  of  his  ••malitia"  hat  rim.  As  the  officer  halted  in 
front  of  him  he  asked,  "Well,  sir.  what  ails  your  hat  rim?'1  Gibbs. 
without  cracking  a  smile,  "A  limb  fell  on  it,  sir."  Officer,  unable  to 
suppress  a  smile,  "  Pretty  narrow  escape."  wasn't  it?"  "  You  bet !  " 
said  Gibbs. 

Another  member  of  our  company.  Murphy  by  name,  came  on  inspec 
tion  carrying  a  revolver  in  his  hand.  Being  questioned  in  regard  to  it 
he  said,  "Be  jabers,  sor,  -an'  I  had  no  carabine,  and  I  tho't  I  must  have 
some  arums  in  me  hands." 

A  NARROW  ESCAPE. 

December  1st,  1864.  we  were  on  a  scouting  expedition  above  Little 
Rock.  At  night  we  camped  near  the  Arkansas  river.  The  night  being 
cool.  Captain  Hosford,  Company  G,  built  a  fire  at  the  foot  of  an  old 
stub  of  a  tree  about  twenty  feet  high,  and  he  and  Cal.  Lee  laid  their 
blankets  near  the  fire  and  retired.  Shortly  after  they  had  lain  down 
Cal.  heard  a  cracking  and  awoke  the  Captain  just  in  time  to  escape  be 
fore  the  old  tree  fell  across  their  bed,  crushing  the  Captain's  saddle  he 
had  used  for  a  pillow,  and  smashing  the  revolver  he  had  not  time  to 
remove. 

RELIEVED  FROM  DUTY. 

December  8th,  1864,  General  Bussey,  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
made  us  a  speech.  Among  other  things  he  said  :  ' '  Some  make  an  ex 
cuse  for  drinking  intoxicating  liquors,  saying  that  there  are  heavy  taxes 
imposed  upon  the  sale  of  such  liquors,  and  if  they  drink  a  great  deal 
they  are  aiding  the  Government  by  thus  increasing  its  revenue.  But," 
said  the  General,  "I  wish  it  distinctly  understood  that  those  who  are 
under  my  command  are  relieved  from  this  duty  from  this  time  hence 
forth  as  long  as  I  have  the  honor  of  commanding  them." 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  367 

HOW  THE  BOYS  TOOK  ONLY  THE  TOP  RAILS. 

March  4th,  1865,  we  started  on  a  scouting1  expedition  to  Ripley. 
Mississippi,  and  camped  about  eight  miles  from  Memphis.  At  night, 
as  wood  was  quite  scarce,  and  we  were  camped  near  a  fence,  the  boys, 
strange  to  relate,  commenced  carrying  the  rails  for  camp  fires.  An 
old  gentleman  went  to  Colonel  Thompson  and  complained  of  this  act  of 
the  boys.  The  Colonel  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  out  to  the  fence  and 
called  out  in  a  loud  voice,  -'Attention,  First  Iowa."  Of  course  every 
one  stopped  his  work  to  listen  to  the  Colonel's  order.  "Now,  boys,1" 
said  he,  "ta.ke  none  but  the  top  rails,11  and  then  rode  back  to  his  quar 
ters.  Of  course  as  each  man  came  up  he  took  only  the  top  rail. 

BRITTAIN'S  EXPERIENCE  WITH  A  BLIND  HORSE. 

On  Friday.  March  10th.  we  started  on  our  return  ;  passed  through 
LaG  range,  Tennessee,  a  pretty  little  town  built  on  a  bluff  overlooking 
Wolf  river.  There  was  a  wide,  low  bottom  skirting  the  stream,  and  a 
turnpike  nearly  half  a  mile  long  built  across  it  to  raise  the  wagon  road 
above  high  water.  In  the  middle  of  the  pike  a  bridge  had  been  built 
over  the  channel  of  the  river,  and  the  rebs  or  the  citizens  had  taken  up 
the  greater  portion  of  the  planking  ;  but  we  succeeded  in  finding  a  suffi 
cient  number  of  planks,  by  placing  them  lengthwise  across  the  bridge 
timbers,  to  enable  us  to  ride  across  it  in  single  file.  There  was  a  man 
in  our  company  by  the  name  of  Brittain,  who  during  the  expedition 
had  picked  up  an  extra  horse,  which  unfortunately  was  blind  in  both 
eyes.  When  Brittain  came  to  the  bridge,  he  thought  while  riding  his 
good  horse  he  could  lead  the  other  across.  After  he  was  fairly  on  the 
bridge  the  horse  he  was  riding,  desirous  of  having  as  much  of  the 
bridge  for  his  own  use  as  possible,  commenced  crowding,  and  the  result 
was  the  blind  horse  was  crowded  off  the  bridge  ' '  kersplash  "  into  the 
river,  about  ten  feet  below,  and  between  swimming  and  wading  he 
came  out  about  six  or  eight  rods  below  the  bridge,  where  he  stood  in 
water  about  up  to  his  belly.  The  loss  of  the  horse  would  not  have  been 
so  very  great,  but  unfortunately  Brittain,  in  order  to  relieve  his  good 
horse  as  much  as  possible,  had  packed  some  of  his  bedding,  etc.,  on 
the  blind  horse.  All  his  persuasive  eloquence  would  not  bring  that 
blind  horse  back  to  him,  so  he  had  to  wade  out  to  him,  as  his  good 
horse  had  moved  on  with  the  column.  So  mounting  the  blind  horse  he 
made  his  way  back  to  the  turnpike,  as  it  was  still  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  to  ground  that  was  not  overflowed.  For  some  reason  that  I  do  not 
now  remember,  the  command  went  off  the  pike  before  reaching  the  west 
end  of  it.  and  the  horses  waded  several  rods  to  the  higher  ground. 


368  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

When  Brittain's  blind  horse  came  to  this  descent,  which  was  quite  ab 
rupt,  he  evidently  thought  he  was  going-  to  fall  again,  and  he  gave  a 
spring  as  if  to  clear  a  ditch  and  landed  in  the  water,  "bucking''  Brit- 
tain  over  his  head.  Not  content  with  this,  he  continued  his  lunges. 

and  Brittain  would  no  sooner  get  his  head  above  water  and  say  d n. 

than  he  would  knock  him  under  again.  Finally  one  of  the  boys  came 
to  his  rescue,  and  once  more  mounting  his  blind  horse  soon  reached 
camp,  when  he  was  soon  busily  engaged  drying  his  wearing  apparel, 
blankets,  etc.,  feeling  that  picking  up  blind  horses  was  not  a  pleasura 
ble  employment. 

"HOGS  EAT  MEAL— WE  EAT  HOGS/1 

On  the  L8th  of  November.  1865,  I  was  in  the  ambulance  corps  on 
detached  service,  at  Austin,  Texas.  By  reference  to  my  diary  J  find 
this  entry:  "Hogs  eat  meal — we  eat  hogs."  This  was  how  it  came 
about.  We  were  camped  near  the  Blind  Asylum.  An  old  sow  with  a 
litter  of  pigs  got  to  running  in  camp,  and  finally  got  into  our  tent  and 
ate  our  meal.  In  running  her  out  a  stone  struck  one  of  her  pigs,  killing 
it.  General  Custer  was  very  strict,  and  a  farmer  near  by  having  missed 
some  chickens,  Lieutenant  Heberling  in  command  of  our  corps  learned 
that  our  camp  was  to  be  searched,  and  somehow  we  got  an  inkling  of 
it.  This  was  just  after  we  had  got  our  pig  dressed,  to  save  it,  you 
know.  We  hastily  secreted  it  in  a  hollow  tree  near.  The  inspection 
followed  closely  on  the  heels  of  our  precaution,  and  of  course  nothing 
could  be  found.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  a  savory  piece  of  meat  found 
its  way  to  the  Lieutenant's  tent,  which  did  not  report  again  to  our 
quarters. 

A  RECRUIT'S  COMPLAINT. 

Some  of  our  recruits  thought  they  had  a  very  hard  and  rough  time. 
One  fellow,  in  his  complaint  about  the  strict  discipline  of  the  service 
and  the  poor  beds,  was  led  to  exclaim,  ••  Here  I've  been  in  the  service 
for  forty  days  and  have  had  neither  a  furlough  nor  straw.1' 

BOLTON    ACTING  AS  AN  M.    D. 

BY  JAS.    L.    BOLTON,    COMPANY  K. 

While  at  Clinton.  Missouri,  I  was  called  upon  to  administer  to  a  pa 
tient  for  sore  eyes,  W.  B.  Herriman.  Company  K.  He  put  his  eye  wash 
in  the  orderly's  desk  for  safe  keeping.  The  orderly  kept  a  bottle  of 
cholera  medicine  in  the  same  desk,  both  being  of  about  the  same  color. 
Herriman  in  his  haste  to  get  the  bottle  seized  the  wrong  one,  and  hand 
ing  it  to  me  I  had  him  lie  down  on  his  back  upon  the  grass,  that  I  could 


R.  M.  SWAN,  Co.  C. 
ISAAC  RHODES,  Co.  B. 


PAUL  HENDRICKS,  Co.  C. 
M.  M.  CHATFJELD,  Co.  B. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  369 

the  more  easily  drop  the  medicine  in  his  eyes.  This  I  did  in  regular 
M.  D.  style,  but  it  was  no  sooner  in  than  he  jumped  to  his  feet  and 
commenced  dancing  about  and  swearing  in  his  stuttering  accents,  and 
howling  like  a  hyena.  He  could  discount  Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren 
when  he  was  on  his  tantrums,  giving  it  to  some  of  the  companies — call 
ing  Company  K  the  damned  oyster  merchants,  Company  E  the  chicken 
thieves,  Company  L  the  horse  thieves,  and  Company  M  too  mean  for 
any  name,  etc.  Herriman  did  not  try  any  more  cholera  medicine  for 
his  eyes. 

HOW  THE  BOYS  OBTAINED  "BUG  JUICE.'1 

BY  HENRY  GREGORY,  COMPANY  G. 

I  will  give  you  one  or  two  illustrations  (facts)  of  how  the  boys  of  the 
First  Iowa  obtained  "grog.'1  One  morning  in  the  early  part  of  the 
winter  of  1863  two  soldiers — one  of  Company  B  as  a  matter  of  course, 
and  one  of  Company  G — stood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  in  front 
of  the  commissary  department,  in  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  wondering 
how  they  could  manage  to  get  a  drink.  Just  at  that  moment  a  Second 
Lieutenant  of  the  Third  Arkansas  Cavalry  came  out  of  the  commissary 
department  with  a  demijohn,  and  gave  it  to  a  colored  man  in  a  govern 
ment  wagon.  Company  G  says  to  Company  B,  "Come  with  me  and  we 
will  '  make  the  riffle.1  "  So  over  they  went.  Company  G  walked  up  to 
the  Lieutenant,  shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand,  inquired  for  the  boys 
of  the  Third  very  earnestly,  etc..  etc.  The  Lieutenant  in  turn  very  un 
suspiciously  asked  if  they  would  not  imbibe  a  little  corn  juice  on  his 
account.  They  unhesitatingly  accepted  the  kindly  offer,  imbibed,  shook 
hands,  and  parted.  The  Lieutenant,  saying  he  had  an  engagement  at 
the  hotel,  ordered  the  negro  to  drive  back  to  camp  with  the  corn  juice. 
( Company  G  told  Company  B  to  lead  the  horses  east  a  block  arid  he 
would  meet  him.  So  away  went  Company  G.  and  hailing  the  negro 
he  said,  "The  Lieutenant  sent  me  after  that  demijohn.'1  The  unsus 
pecting  negro  at  once  gave  it  to  Company  G.  who  with  Company  B 
was  soon  on  the  way  to  camp  with  a  demijohn  of  bug  juice  ahead,  sur 
rounded  by  lots  of  friends. 

At  another  time  a  Company  B  and  the  same  Company  G  boy  met  up 
town.  Company  B  pointed  to  a  room  in  the  second  story  of  a  frame 
building,  where  they  sold  the  juice  to  soldiers  '  •  on  the  sly, ''  but  said  he 
had  no  money.  •  •  Well, "  says  Company  G,  ' '  give  me  your  canteen.  I 
will  go  over  and  have  yours  and  mine  filled,  and  when  they  are  filled  I 
will  walk  to  the  window  looking  for  my  money.  You  then  run  up  to 
the  room  and  arrest  me.  I  will  endeavor  to  pay,  but  you  march  me  off 
47 


370  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

under  arrest.1'  Well,  the  scheme  worked  like  a  charm,  and  we  were 
two  canteens  full  of  the  juice  ahead.  When  we  got  back  we  held  a  reg 
ular  camp  meeting. 

SOME  CAUSES  OF  VIDETTES1  ALARMS. 

While  the  regiment  was  in  camp  at  Cross  Hollow,  Arkansas,  our 
company  was  on  picket  out  on  White  river.  We  could  see  the  ' '  John 
nies"  in  the  day  time.  One  night  A.  W.  Carroll  and  myself  were  put 
on  guard  in  a  piece  of  woods  at  the  corner  of  a  field.  There  was  no 
road  there.  We  were  lying  behind  a  log.  The  leaves  were  dry,  and 
we  heard  a  sound  as  though  some  one  was  walking.  It  came  closer  and 
closer.  We  got  ready  to  shoot.  It  would  come  a  few  steps  and  stop  : 
then  move  on  again.  We  could  see  nothing  until  it  came  around  the 
end  of  the  log.  It  proved  to  be  a  toad.  After  we  had  discovered  the 
cause  of  alarm  we  were  greatly  relieved,  as  one  of  our  men  had  been 
shot  on  that  post  the  night  before. 

WHAT  INCONVENIENCE  A  HICKORY  RAIL  GAVE. 

BY  GEORGE  WELCHYMER,  COMPANY  A. 

In  the  winter  or  spring  we  were  in  camp  between  Georgetown  and 
Sedalia,  Missouri,  1861-2.  Louis  Frisbie  and  myself  were  detailed  on 
forage  guard,  going  out  for  sheaf  oats.  Everything  about  camp  was 
wet  .and  muddy,  and  our  kindling  wood  was  about  out.  so  when  return 
ing,  about  three  miles  from  camp,  we  put  two  large  hickory  rails  on 
one  of  the  wagons  and  took  them  to  camp.  Just  after  they  were  thrown 
off  Captain  Torrence  came  up  and  asked  the  teamster  who  put  them  on 
the  wagon.  He  told  the  Captain  who  did  it.  In  a  short  time  we  were 
ordered  to  report  to  headquarters,  mounted.  Upon  reporting,  the  Cap 
tain  ordered  us  to  each  take  a  rail  on  our  shoulder  and  put  them  on  the 
fence  just  where  we  took  them  off.  We  extracted  some  of  the  most  fit 
ting  words  from  our  vocabulary,  but  not  in  the  presence  of  the  Captain. 
I  got  revenge,  but  Frisbie  did  not.  A  day  or  two  after  the  occurrence 
I  was  on  picket.  My  post  was  on  the  road  to  Sedalia.  on  the  bank  of  a 
small  creek.  It  had  rained  all  day.  and  the  creek  was  nearly  bank  full. 
Captain  Torrence  went  to  Sedalia  that  day.  Our  orders  were  very 
strict  in  relation  to  permitting  any  one  to  approach  us.  I  was  on  duty 
from  nine  to  eleven  o'clock  p.  M.  About  ten  o'clock  I  heard  "Old 
Thunder"  (the  name  of  the  Captain's  horse)  coming  on  the  other  side  of 
the  creek.  I  halted  the  Captain  when  he  was  about  a  hundred  yards 
from  me  :  ordered  him  to  dismount,  advance  and  give  the  countersign. 
He  called  to  me  and  said.  ••  Welchymer.  don't  you  know  me  ?  "  I  said. 


HISTORY  OF  FIKST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  371 

F  am  supposed  to  know  no  person  in  an  enemy's  country— advance  and 
give  the  countersign  or  I  will  fire  upon  you.1'  "Now,  Welchymer, "  he 
said,  "this  is  rough,"  but  off  he  got  and  waded  through  the  mud  until 
he  came  to  the  bank  of  the  creek  ;  then,  seeing  its  full  banks,  he  said, 
%t  Welchymer,  let  me  get  on  my  horse  and  ride  through."  (I  thought 
of  that  hickory  rail.)  I  replied,  ''Advance  and  give  the  countersign 
or  I  will  fire  upon  you."  He  started  in  at  once  and  waded  through  the 
creek  just  like  any  other  little  man.  Reaching  the  shore,  he  gave  me 
the  countersign,  mounted  his  horse,  and  went  to  camp.  The  next 
morning  he  sent  for  me.  I  thought  the  other  side  of  the  rail  matter 
was  coming  up.  But  he  said,  • '  Welchymer,  you  are  the  best  soldier  in 
this  command,"  and  gave  me  a  great  deal  of  credit.  He  did  not  know 
that  the  most  of  it  was  due  to  that  hickory  rail. 

HOW  AN  OFFICER  WANTED  TO  FORD  THE  RIVER,  P>rc. 

BY  JOAB  SOMERS,   COMPANY  L. 

On  the  raid  to  Van  Buren,  Arkansas,  December  28th,  l«62,  we 
struck  the  enemy's  pickets  at  Dripping  Springs.  The  rebel  force  loca 
ted  at  this  place  consisted  of  about  one  thousand  Texas  cavalry,  and 
when  we  routed  those  apostles  of  old  Jeff  I  roared  and  laughed  until 
my  sides  pained  me.  First,  there  were  the  tents  standing,  wagons 
without  mules,  some  with  one  mule  hitched  up  and  left  in  that  condi 
tion,  in  their  great  haste  for  life  and  liberty.  Along  the  road  were 
scattered  broken  wagons,  men's  chests,  hats,  caps,  knives  and  forks, 
broken  saddles,  blankets,  shirts,  drawers,  pants,  crinoline,  whetstones, 
and  other  things  too  numerous  to  mention.  We  charged  them  into  Van 
Buren,  when  they  retreated  across  the  Arkansas  river.  We  were  fortu 
nate  in  finding  a  drug  store,  with  a  good  supply  of  liquor  of  various 
kinds.  The  boys  ran  in  all  directions  for  jars,  crocks,  pots,  and  any 
thing  to  hold  the  precious  -"metal."  It  did  us  good  all  over,  and  none 
got  out  of  shape  either.  We  all  got  in  good  humor  and  felt  rested. 
Lieutenant  Simeral  felt  so  good  that  he  wanted  to  charge  Fort  Smith, 
across  the  river.  He  said  the  First  Iowa  could  •  •  ford  the  river/"  Dear, 
good  man,  I  like  him  for  all  that.  Well,  we  made  our  coffee,  and  dark 
ness  soon  came  on.  1  told  Simeral  it  was  my  turn  to  go  on  picket.  He 
said  I  was  to  stand  but  one  hour.  It  was  on  a  dark,  bushy  road,  lead 
ing  to  Fort  Smith  landing.  I  sat  on  my  horse  for  a  short  time,  but  it 
seemed  for  a  life  time,  and  it  seemed  as  though  it  would  kill  me.  I 
dismounted,  and  took  the  bridle  on  my  arm.  drew  my  cape  over  my 
head,  and  rolled  over  to  rest  a  bit,  and  was  fast  asleep  by  the  time  I 
reached  the  ground.  How  long  I  slept  I  cannot  tell,  but  when  I  opened 


372  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

my  eyes  and  raised  up,  there  sat  a  man  on  horseback.  Well,  I  was  not 
disconcerted  in  the  least,  but  thought  he  was  a  reb.  Quick  as  thought 
I  asked  him  how  long  he  had  been  there.  He  said  about  an  hour  ;  that 
I  was  sleeping  so  good  he  thought  he  would  not  wake  me.  I  did  not 
stop  to  make  any  further  inquiries,  but  started  for  the  post. 

SCOUTING  AND  FORAGING— DID  NOT  FIND  HAM. 

'  After  the  fall  of  Richmond  we  were  sent  out  on  a  two  days'  scout, 
under  General  J.  P.  C.  Shanks,  to  look  after  General  Lee  and  his  gray- 
backs.  General  Shanks  stationed  guards  at  every  house  and  forbade 
any  foraging.  After  we  went  into  camp  I  went  to  a  large  brick  house 
where  General  Shanks  was  quartered.  It  being  dark  1  challenged  the 
sentinel — who,  by  the  way,  was  a  First  Iowa  boy — and  asked  him  if 
there  was  any  meat  about  there.  He  said  "Yes,  right  in  there/' 
pointing  to  an  open  shed,  and  turned  upon  his  beat.  I  went  for  the 
meat  tub.  found  the  biggest  kind  of  a  ham.  shouldered  it.  and  went  off 
to  camp.  Our  mess  fared  well  that  night. 

On  the  day  after.  General  Shanks  ordered  out  Captain  Mclntyre 
with  a  detail  of  his  company  to  fetch  in  a  few  hundred  pounds  of  rebel 
meat.  We  each  took  what  we  could  on  our  horses,  and  when  we  got  to 
camp  filed  off  to  our  quarters.  General  Shanks  sent  for  the  meat,  but 
none  could  be  found.  The  General  was  very  mad  because  we  were  not 
able  to  find  the  meat. 

One  morning  on  our  return  to  Memphis,  about  ten  o'clock,  we 
halted  to  make  coffee.  While  there  Jewett,  one  of  our  boys,  came  in 
with  a  piece  of  meat.  ••  Is  there  any  more  ?"*  I  asked.  He  replied  yes. 
Away  I  went  and  procured  two  nice  little  hams,  and  as  I  was  coming 
back  I  met  the  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Major.  They  were  about  fifty 
yards  from  me.  I  had  a  ham  in  each  hand.  1  dropped  them  and 
walked  on  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  They  saw  the  act,  and  showing 
their  good  manners  turned  oft'  into  the  woods.  I  very  quickly  turned 
ba.ck.  got  my  hams,  and  went  to  camp  in  safety. 

THE  EVACUATION  OF  CLINTON— A  BIG  SCARE. 

BY  SURGEON  M.    B.   COOHBAN. 

He  says,  under  date  of  June  loth,  1885,  in  reference  to  the  Colonel 
Warren  water  melon  incident :  The  time  was  when  Colonel  Warren 
took  the  regiment  out,  after  the  attack  on  Lone  Jack.  Missouri,  by.  I 
think.  Quantrell  and  his  gang  of  bushwhackers.  It  was  in  the  summer 
of  1862  and  when  the  regiment  was  at  Clinton,  Missouri.  I  did  not  go 
out  for  some  reason,  (probably  because  Warren  loved  Allen  better  than 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

he  did  me  and  I  reciprocated  his  attachment,  and  we  always  agreed 
better  when  we  were  a  good  ways  apart).  The  next  day  after  the 
regiment  left  under  Warren,  word  came  that  the  • ;  Philistines "  were 
upon  us  who  were  left  in  camp.  We  had  a  few  sick  which  I  loaded 
into  wagons  and  sent  to  Sedalia.  Thompson  (Black  Bill)  was  in  com 
mand.  He  ordered  all  the  stores  that  could  be  removed  to  Sedalia. 
and  set  fire  to  his  own  company  property  and  all  the  quartermaster 
supplies  he  could  not  get  away  that  night.  I  loaded  up  my  horses 
with  army  pants,  coats  and  boots,  and  looked  like  a  Jew  peddler  on  a 
tramp.  It  was  a  big  scare  with  no  enemy  near. 

When  we  got  to  Sedalia  we  found  Colonel  Totten  in  command,  who 
had  been  ordered  to  relieve  Warren,  and  at  the  same  time  we  had  word 
that  Warren  had  been  promoted  to  Brigadier  General.  The  next  day 
I  went  back  and  met  Warren  at  Calhoun  with  his  command. 

LEARNING  TO  BLOW  THE  BUGLE  CALLS. 

Do  you  know  that  Captain  —  —  had  an  awfully  cowardly  pair  of  legs, 
but  when  he  got  his  "  Ajax"  up  he  was  brave  enough  ?  I  remember 
being  in  Colonel  Warren's  quarters  one  day.  when  Captain  —  -  came 
in,  saying,  "Colonel,  I  am  going  to  learn  to  sound  the  bugle  calls." 
•  •  What  is  your  idea  of  that  ?  "  said  the  Colonel.  • '  Can't  you  employ  all 
your  time  drilling  your  company  and  make  them  efficient?"  "Yes," 
replied  the  Captain,  •  •  but  that  damned  bugler  of  mine  is  so  damned 
reckless  that  if  we  should  get  into  a  fight  and  I  should  order  him  to  sound 
the  retreat,  he  would  be  just  damn  fool  enough  to  blow  the  advance, 
and  I  am  going  to  learn  to  blow  the  calls  myself."  The  Captain,  how 
ever,  was  generous  to  a  fault. 

AN  INCIDENT— HOW  A  CAPTAIN  KEPT  QUIET. 
When  we  were  at  Cross  Hollows,  under  General  Herron,  we  made  a 
forced  march  one  night  to  scoop  Magruder.  General  Totten  went  by 
the  way  of  Fayetteville,  and  ordered  General  Herron  to  take  his  cav 
alry  only  and  go  down  in  the  night  as  near  Magruder1  s  camp  as  he 
could  and  wait  for  Totten  to  commence  the  attack  and  then  push  on. 
The  night  was  pitchy  dark,  and  one  of  our  Captains  commanded  the 
advance  guard.  General  Herron  had  given  orders  to  have  no  talking 
along  the  entire  line,  and  for  our  Captain  to  proceed  until  he  found  the 
enemy's  pickets,  and  if  was  he  fired  upon  to  halt  and  quietly  fall  back 
a  few  rods,  then  send  back  an  orderly  to  report,  but  above  all  things 
to  keep  still.  It  was  a  long,  dreary  march  over  lonely  roads,  and  as  I 
was  not  well  I  went  back  to  the  ambulance  to  ride,  directing  the  driver 


374  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

to  keep  close  to  the  rear  of  the  column.  The  horses  walking  in  the 
road  made  very  little  noise,  and  I  think  the  driver  got  asleep  and  the 
mules  and  ambulance  stopped  to  take  a  rest.  I  woke  up  and  got  out. 
but  could  hear  nothing  of  the  column.  Our  stop  was  at  the  forks  of  a 
road.  It  took  a  little  time  to  find  out  our  bearings,  but  I  struck  a  match 
and  found  the  tracks  of  the  horses  and  went  on  as  fast  as  we  could. 
Et  was  some  time  before  we  caught  up  with  the  column,  and  then  I  took 
^my  horse  and  went  forward  to  the  head  of  it.  I  found  General  Herron 
in  a  towering  passion,  cursing  away  down  in  the  legs  of  his  long  cavalry 
boots,  for  he  would  not  speak  loud.  He  had  sent  the  Captain  forward. 
who  proceeded  until  a  shot  from  a  rebel  vidette  wakened  up  the  hills 
with  a  reverberating  echo  which  sounded  like  a  platoon  of  soldiers 
firing  by  file.  Instead  of  sending  an  orderly  back  as  he  had  been  di 
rected  to  do,  the  Captain  himself  rode  back  until  he  got  within  hailing 
distance  of  the  General,  when  he  yelled  out.  • '  General,  they  have  fired 
on  the  advance  guard.1'  The  General  hastily  rode  up  to  him  and  told 
him  to  keep  quiet,  to  go  back  and  quietly  halt  his  men  and  tell  them  to 
keep  still.  The  Captain  returned  to  within  hailing  distance  of  the 
guard,  and  then  called  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  •  •  Advance  guard, 
halt."  When  General  Herron  came  upon  the  advance,  he  found  the 
Captain  at  the  road  side  in  the  rear,  cursing  his  stupidity  for  riding  a 
white  horse. 

It  was  laughable  in  the  extreme,  but  it  saved  Magruder's  forces,  as 
Totten  did  not  come  up  on  time.  We  captured  their  camp  and  much  of 
their  breakfast,  but  they  escaped  to  the  mountains. 

What  a,  troop  of  reminiscences  these  things  bring  up.  It  seems 
hardly  possible  that  they  happened  twenty-five  years  ago. 

A  BALD  HEAD  MISTAKEN  FOR  A  WATER  MELON.  ETC. 

BY  H.   J.    LEONARD,    COMPANY  L. 

On  the  Lone  Jack  (Missouri)  scout,  I  think  at  Pleasant  Hill,  the  offi 
cers  sent  out  an  ambulance  for  some  water  melons.  We  were  short  of 
camp  kettles  to  cook  in,  so  had  to  take  turns  in  using  them.  Tom  and 
I  could  not  get  the  use  of  them  until  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
We  had  a  couple  of  old  hens  which  we  wanted  to  boil,  so  we  filled  our 
canteens  with  water  and  went  to  bed,  and  were  awakened  when  our 
turn  came.  We  soon  had  our  old  hens  in  the  kettle,  and  while  watch 
ing  it  one  of  us  suggested  getting  some  water  melons  from  the  ambu 
lance.  So  we  went  for  them.  After  opening  the  end  curtain  of  several 
ambulances  we  found  the  melons.  As  I  was  the  tallest  I  handed  out 
two.  The  third  one  Tom  said  ' '  was  green,  and  green  melons  are  better 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  375 

for  officers.1'  So  1  laid  it  back,  and  the  moon  shone  in  just  right,  so 
tha.t  Colonel  Warren's  head  (the  Colonel  was  sleeping-  in  the  ambulance) 
looked  just  like  the  end  of  a  melon,  in  the  night.  1  snapped  it,  and 
the  Colonel  spoke  in  his  quick  manner,  "  Wha  !  Wha!"  We  then 
started  upon  the  run,  each  taking  a  melon.  The  Colonel  stuck  his  head 
out  and  said.  "Comeback!  -  — ty  -  -you!  I  know  you !"  But  we 
purposed  to  keep  going.  After  eating  the  water  melons  we  burned  the 
rinds.  The  next  day  I  was  riding  beside  our  Captain,  D.  C.  Mclntyre. 
and  under  promise  of  not  to  '  •  give  us  away"  I  told  him  about  it.  After 
we  returned  to  Butler  the  officers  had  a  "jamboree11  at  the  Colonel's 
headquarters,  and  while  there  Captain  Mclntyre  must  have  told  the 
Colonel  about  it.  At  all  events,  next  morning  about  nine  o'clock  an 
orderly  came  to  our  quarters  and  called  for  Sergeant  Leonard.  I  started 
for  the  Colonel's  quarters,  and  as  I  passed  Captain  Mclntyre's  tent  he 
stuck  his  head  out  and  said,  "  How  are  you,  Melons?11  I  mistrusted 
then  why  I  was  wanted.  When  I  reported  to  Colonel  Warren  he  said, 
in  his  imperative  way,  "Sergeant  Leonard,  how  do  you  tell  when  water 
melons  are  ripe?"  I  replied.  "When  they  sound  flat  and  when  the 

quirl  is  dead."      "Well.11  replied   the   Colonel,   "by ,  sir,  my  quirl 

is  not  dead  yet !  Over  behind  the  trunk  you  will  find  the  black  bottle. 
Take  a  drink,  and  hereafter,  sir.  no  more  of  those  practical  jokes.11  1 
found  the  bottle,  and  with  it  an  india  rubber  tumbler,  and  I  took  the 
biggest  drink  of  my  life,  it  was  almost  a  ' '  deadener. "  and  returned  to 
quarters. 

OLD  BATTALION. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

While  a  portion  of  the  regiment  was  at  Benton  Barracks,  under  Col. 
Warren,  preparing  for  active  field  service,  strict  discipline  was  enforced 
by  the  Colonel.  This  was  a  little  irksome  for  the  boys,  and  they,  very 
naturally,  were  at  times  a  little  out  of  humor.  In  drilling  the  men  the 
Colonel  accustomed  himself  to  the  use  of  the  word  "battalion11  until  it 
became  a  byword  with  the  boys,  and  the  Colonel  was  referred  to  as 
••Old  Battalion."  It  was  the  habit  of  the  Colonel  to  go  down  to  the 
city  every  afternoon.  The  barracks  were  located  on  the  fair  grounds, 
shaded  by  large  old  trees.  As  the  Colonel  left  camp  the  boys  would 
conceal  themselves  behind  these  trees,  and  after  he  had  passed  them 
they  would  dodge  their  heads  one  side  and  call  out  "Old  Battalion  !  " 
and  quickly  dodge  their  heads  behind  the  trees  again.  The  Colonel 
would  halt,  look  around  him,  but  discovering  no  one  would  go  on  again. 
Presentlv  another  one  from  a  distant  tree  would  call  out  "Old  Battal- 


37$  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

ion  !  "  This  annoyance  would  be  repeated  until  the  Colonel  reached 
the  gate.  This  fun  for  the  boys  was  continued  for  two  or  three  days, 
when  one  of  Company  K  boys  was  too  slow  in  getting-  his  head  in  cover. 
The  Colonel  saw  him.  Keeping  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  tree,  he  walked 
up  to  it.  caught  the  fellow  by  the  collar,  and  in  his  peculiar,  incisive 
language  said,  "Old  Battalion,  eh!  -  — ty  -  -  you!11  Then  holding 
him  by  the  collar  he  would  walk  with  him  a  few  rods,  then  stop,  his  feel 
ings'  getting  the  better  of  him,  and  say,  '  <  Old  Battalion,  eh  ! ty 

-  you ! "  Then  they  would  proceed  on  the  way  to  Company  K's 
quarters.  This  was  repeated  a  number  of  times,  the  Colonel  giving 
vent  each  time  to  his  feelings.  Reaching  the  quarters,  he  assisted  him 

with  his  foot,  with   another  "Old   Battalion,   eh!11 ty  -    -  you  ! v 

and  then  left  for  the  city — the  boys  cheering  to  the  echo.  ' '  Old  Bat 
talion  "  was  heard  no  more  about  camp,  and  the  Colonel  took  no  fur 
ther  note  of  the  matter,  as  punishment  had  been  properly  administered 

according  to  his  code,  and  that  was  the  end  of  it. 

• 

THE  NOTED  WARRIOR  OF  THE  MARAIS  DES  CYGNES. 

In  April.  1862,  Colonel  Warren  established  a  post  at  Butler,  Mis 
souri,  near  the  Marais  des  Cygnes  river.  Bushwhackers  and  guerrillas 
infested  this  locality,  and  our  scouting  parties  and  forage  trains  were 
often  fired  upon,  making  it  exceedingly  uncomfortable  and  dangerous 
for  the  small  command  at  this  post.  Near  this  place  was  an  island  in 
the  river  covered  with  dense  underbrush.  One  day  a  report  came  to 
headquarters  that  a  force  of  rebels  were  on  the  island,  and  were  about 
to  make  an  attack  upon  the  post.  Captain  Jenks— who  by  the  way  was 

a  brave  man  and  afterwards  proved  himself  a  most  gallant  officer was 

ordered  out  with  a  force  to  meet  the  rebs  on  the  bank  of  the  river  and 
drive  them  from  the  island.  The  Captain  cautiously  approached  the 
river,  throwing  out  an  advance  with  flankers,  to  prevent  surprise. 
Reaching  the  vicinity  of  the  island,  he  sent  forward  a  few  men  to  re- 
connoiter.  They  could  see  no  enemy,  but  heard  quite  a  commotion  on 
the  island — a  running  to  and  fro,  cracking  of  dry  limbs,  breaking  of 
brush,  etc.,  indicating  a  large  force  in  cover.  Upon  receiving  this  re 
port  the  young  Captain,  having  an  indistinct  view  of  the  situation,  (he 
was  crosseyed,)  reported  the  facts  to  Colonel  Warren,  asking  fora 
section  of  a  battery  as  a  reinforcement.  Accordingly  a  section  was 
ordered  out,  and  after  taking  great  care  to  get  it  in  proper  position,  a 
shell  was  sent  over  by  way  of  compliments.  The  result  was  thai  the 
astonished  enemy  made  a  • '  big  racket1'  on  a  double  quick  for  the  other 
side  of  the  island.  The  boys  at  once  crossed  to  the  island  as  best  they 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  377 

could,  Captain  Jenks  in  the  advance,  and  charged  upon  a  lot  of  Gov 
ernment  mules,  which  had  been  turned  loose  upon  the  island  for  rest 
and  recuperation,  after  having  been  overworked  and  exhausted  in  our 
supply  trains.  This  engagement  was  afterwards  known  as  the  battle  of 
the  Marais  des  Cygnes,  and  Captain  Jenks  received  the  title  of  ' '  The 
Skew-Eyed  Warrior  of  the  Marais  des  Cygnes.'1 

WHY  CAPT.  JENKS  REQUESTED  LIEUT.  SCHRIVER  TO  CURSE 

HIS  MEN. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

Captain  Jenks,  Company  D,  before  he  entered  the  service,  was  a 
deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  a 
brave  and  exemplary  man.  His  Lieutenant,  W.  R.  Schriver,  was  also 
a  most  excellent  and  brave  officer.  He  had,  however,  a  habit  when  ex 
cited  of  resorting  to  very  emphatic  language,  not  found  in  Church 
discipline.  As  the  old  saw  goes,  he  could  "swear  by  rote/'  The  Cap 
tain  took  great  pride  in  having  his  men  perfectly  drilled,  often  making 
it  exceedingly  tedious  for  them.  At  such  times  they  would  be  very 
slow,  awkward,  and  appear  ridiculous  in  obeying  orders.  For  instance, 
when  the  Captain  gave  the  order  to  draw  sabre,  the  boys  would  draw 
their  sabres  and  put  them  under  their  arms  or  stick  the  points  in  the 
ground,  and  when  the  order  to  prepare  to  fight  on  foot  was  given,  they 
would  manage  to  tread  on  each  other's  toes.  On  one  occasion  the 
pranks  of  the  boys  were  too  much  for  the  Captain,  and  in  a  tone  of 
utter  disgust  he  called  to  his  Lieutentant,  saying,  • '  Lieutenant  Schriver, 
please  curse  these  men  ;  I  am  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Church  at  home  and  I 
can't." 

THE  INSURRECTION  OF  COMPANY  E. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

While  at  the  Post  at  Butler,  Missouri,  in  the  summer  of  1862,  a 
party  and  a  dance  in  town  was  gotten  up  by  the  E  boys,  the  time  and 
place  selected  and  all  arrangements  made,  girls  invited  and  every 
thing  progressing  finely  until  the  afternoon  of  the  day  appointed,  sup 
posing  as  a  matter  of  course  that  passes  would  be  given  them  for  the 
evening  ;  but.  to  the  consternation  of  all,  Colonel  Warren  refused  to 
give  a  pass  to  a  single  individual,  and  ordered  every  man  to  remain  in 
camp.  But  some  of  the  boys  were  determined  to  go  at  all  hazards, 
and  --go  they  did."  The  next  morning  the  irate  Colonel  gave  them 
one  of  his  short  incisive  speeches  and  placed  the  whole  company  in  ar 
rest  for  insurrection.  A  section  of  the  Second  Indiana  Battery  was 

brought  out  and  placed  in  position  to  rake  the  company  "fore  and  aft." 
48 


378  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

The  boys  remained  quiet  all  day.  At  night,  however,  in  retaliation,  they 
found  an  axle  and  wheels  of  an  old  wagon,  and  mounting  an  old  piece 
of  stovepipe  upon  it  placed  it  in  front  of  the  Colonel's  tent.  In  the 
morning  the  Colonel  discovered  that  while  his  gun  was  in  position,  the 
artillery  of  the  boys  was  threatening  him.  Taking  in  the  beligerent 
aspect  of  affairs  with  a  broad  smile,  he  ordered  the  gun  and  Company 
E's  war  dog  away.  Company  E  was  released  from  arrest  and  no  further 
action  was  taken  as  to  the  insurrection. 

HOW  THE  DOCTORS  APPROPRIATED  A  CARRIAGE. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

On  one  occasion  when  we  were  tramping  back  and  forth  in  Missouri. 
Doctor  Allen  and  myself  came  to  the  conclusion  to  change  our  mode  of 
conveyance.  In  place  of  the  saddle  we  would  use  a  carriage.  As  we 
were  in  the  rear  of  the  column,  the"  change  would  not  be  noticed  for 
some  time.  So  making  our  desires  known  to  some  of  the  boys,  we  soon 
found  a  double  carriage  and  harness  ready  for  us.  In  a  twinkling,  as 
sisted  by  the  boys,  our  saddles  were  in  the  carriage,  our  horses  in  har 
ness  hitched  to  the  carriage,  and  very  demurely  we  resumed  our  place 
in  the  column — going  to  war  in  a  carriage  with  a  double  team.  We 
continued  our  march  for  a  few  miles  in  this  manner,  when  an  old 
••  Butternut"  passed  us  riding  a  mule,  eying  us  sharply.  Doctor  Allen 
said,  "Pll  bet  that  old  cuss  wants  to  ride.11  He  passed  on,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  back  he  came  with  Major  Anderson.  The  Major,  in  a 
stern  voice,  but  eyes  brimful  of  laughter  at  our  new  mode  of  prosecu 
ting  the  war.  demanded  :  • '  Where  and  when  did  you  obtain  that  car 
riage  ?  v  We  replied  that  we  found  it  beside  the  road  a  few  miles  back, 
and  we  thought  we  would  experiment  with  the  old  thing.  "Well," 
said  he,  •  •  it  belongs  to  this  man,  and  you  take  it  back  to  where  you 
found  it.  That  while  it  may  be  an  improvement  in  the  tactics  of  cav 
alry.  I  do- not  approve  of  it.11  Doctor  Allen  replied  that  it  was  no  im 
provement,  and  he  did  not  want  to  ride  in  the  —  —  old  thing  anyhow. 
The  Major  then  returned  to  the  head  of  the  column  and  we  com 
menced  unhitching  our  horses.  The  man  said  that  we  should  take  the 
carriage  back  to  his  house.  Doctor  Allen  replied,  • '  Not  by  a  - 
sight ; "  that  if  he  said  anything  more  about  it  he  would  tear  his  old 
wagon  to  pieces,  and  make  him  think  he  had  been  struck  by  a  young 
tornado  We  left  the  mule,  the  man,  and  carriage  and  harness  in  the 
road.  But  the  mule  afterwards  found  its  way  into  our  camp.  Two- 
horse  carriages  are  not  as  useful  as  saddles  for  cavalry  service. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  379 

'PREVENTING  THE  CHICKENS  FROM  CRYING  OUT. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

1  remember  that  on  one  occasion  while  on  a  scout,  Colonel  Ander 
son  (then  Major)  being  in  command,  the  chickens  were  greatly  ex 
ercised  on  account  of  our  presence.  Strict  orders  had  been  issued 
against  foraging  ;  company  and  regimental  commanders  were  held 
responsible  for  overt  acts  of  the  men.  We  had  selected  a  camp  for  the 
night  at  a  farm  house.  The  Major  and  myself  had  selected  a  place  on 
the  veranda  for  our  bed,  spreading  our  blankets  and  using  our  saddles 
for  pillows.  We  had  laid  down  for  sleep.  The  boys  were  cooking  and 
preparing  rations  for  the  next  day.  Suddenly  the  chickens  roosting 
on  the  trees  in  the  yard  commenced  squawking,  making  a  terrible 
•'racket.11  The  Major,  with  that  stringent  order  in  mind,  jumped  up 
and  rushed  out  among  the  boys  who  were  cooking,  but  everything  was 
quiet,  no  sign  of  chicken  about  the  fires,  and  the  chickens  themselves 
had  become  quiet.  He  returned  and  had  just  got  snugly  tucked  in  his 
blankets,  when  the  chickens  again  commenced  making  a  terrible  noise. 
The  Major  was  again  on  his  feet  in  a  moment  and  out  among  the 
chickens  and  boys,  but  everything  was  orderly  and  quiet.  The  rations 
were  cooking  and  the  boys  quietly  watching  the  kettles.  This  pro 
gramme  was  repeated  three  or  four  times,  but  no  cause  could  be  found 
for  the  queer  actions  of  the  chickens.  On  returning  the  last  time  the 
Major  said,  "Those  confounded  boys  ought  to  know  what  strict  orders 
have  been  issued,  and  they  ought  to  know  better  than  to  disobey  them.  " 
I  quietly  informed  him  that  if  he  thought  he  was  going  to  catch  any 
of  the  boys  taking  chickens,  he  was  entirely  mistaken,  and  that  the 
best  thing  for  him  to  do  was  to  lie  down  and  get  some  sleep,  and  let 
the  chickens  take  care  of  themselves  ;  that  they  were  probably  loyal 
chickens,  and  wanted  to  show  their  appreciation  of  our  presence  here. 
The  Major  said  that  he  had  endeavored  to  obey  orders,  but  that  he 
would  be  eternally  —  -  blest  if  he  tried  any  longer  to  prevent  mischief 
among  those  chickens,  and  was  soon  asleep.  The  next  morning  it  was 
discovered  that  the  boys  had  chickens  served  up  in  various  styles.  The 
hospital  squad  had  been  out  and  purchased  chickens  during  the  night. 
»nd  at  our  breakfast  the  Major  enjoyed  prepared  chicken  with  a  relish. 

HOW  SURGEON  COCHRAN  REJOICED  AND  WAS  ASTONISHED. 

BY  SURGEON   LOTHROP. 

While  at  Clinton,  Missouri,  our  hospital  was  located  in  a  nice  ' '  two 
rftor.y"  house  upon  a  hill  in  town.  The  country  round  about  was  good 
foraging  ground,  and  our  "hospital  squad  "  by  the  aid  of  a  little  coffee 


380  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

•  • 
could  purchase  anything1  we  desired.     As  a  result  we  ' '  lived  at  the  top 

of  the  heap, "  and  the  sick  boys  ' '  fared  sumptuously  every  day.1'  Stimu 
lants  when  required  were  given  freely,  without  regard  to  the  regular 
quarterly  hospital  supply.  Our  cooks  (as  they  ever  were  in  the  hospi 
tal)  were  most  excellent,  and  the  hospital  at  Clinton  became  proverbial 
for  its  management  throughout  the  command,  especially  for  the  many 
good  things  which  were  mysteriously  found  there.  The  sweetest  ham. 
the  nicest  eggs,  the  fattest  chickens,  the  best  milk,  ice,  peach  brandy, 
apple  jack,  mint  juleps,  etc.,  etc.  Some  of  the  squad  had  discovered  a 
nice  bed  of  mint  near  town.  Colonel  Warren,  every  time  he  came  to 
Clinton,  had  to  inspect  the  hospital,  visit  the  sick  and  wounded  boys, 
and  after  inspecting  the  dispensary  where  we  kept  our  ice,  mint.  etc. . 
would  declare  it  was  the  best  hospital  in  the  State.  Our  resources 
for  supplies  were  mysterious  yet  ample.  On  one  occasion,  at  the  time 
the  entire  regiment  was  stationed  at  Clinton,  Dr.  Cochranvwas  out  with 
a  scouting  party.  On  their  return  some  of  the  boys  came  in  in  ad 
vance,  and  reported  that  they  would  reach  Clinton  soon  after  noon.  Af 
ter  noon,  knowing  that  Dr.  Cochran  enjoyed  the  good  things  of  life. 
(Dr.  Allen  and  myself  being  at  the  hospital,)  we  had  prepared  a  good 
dinner  for  him,  supposing  that  he  would  be  hungry  and  enjoy  it.  When 
he  arrived  we  had  eaten  our  dinner.  As  he  drove  up  to  the  hospital 
with  the  ambulance,  he  took  out  a  box  of  whisky,  and  said  as  he  came 
in  :  "  Look  here,  I  have  carried  this  box  of  whisky  on  this  scout  arid 
did  not  open  it.  I  don't  believe  that  either  of  you  could  have  done  the 
same  thing."  Of  course  we  agreed  with  him.  and  expressed  our  great 
satisfaction  at  his  success.  (We  were  about  out  of  our  supply  and  our 
squad  had  not  been  very  successful  in  foraging  for  more.)  "  But,1'  said 
Dr.  Allen,  "don't  you  feel  hungry?  We  have  had  our  dinners  :  now 
you  go  in  and  get  yours.1'  The  Doctor  said  he  was  confounded  hungry, 
and  putting  the  box  down  he  went  in,  and  judging  from  the  time  he 
was  there  he  enjoyed  it  immensely,  forgetting  all  about  his  box  of  whis 
ky.  After  he  left  it  took  Dr.  Allen  and  myself  but  a  very  short  time  to 
ascertain  what  was  in  that  box.  The  contents  of  every  bottle  was 
quickly  emptied  into  canteens,  bottles,  etc. .  and  then  all  the  empty  bot 
tles  replaced,  the  box  nailed  again,  and  put  in  same  place  as  before, 
with  no  indication  of  it  having  been  disturbed.  When  the  Doctor  came 
from  his  dinner  we  were  pleased  to  know  he  had  enjoyed  it  so  much. 
Of  course  we  were  all  pleased — he  on  account  of  his  good  dinner,  and 
we  on  account  of  a  fresh  supply  of  whisky.  In  about  a  week,  the  supply 
in  the  dispensary  becoming  short.  Dr.  Cochran  thought  it  about  time  to 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  381 

open  the  box  again,  remarking  on  his  ability  to  keep  whisky  intact. 
We  also  had  a  curiosity  to  see  the  box  opened,  wondering  if  it  would 
prove  to  be  of  good  quality,  etc.  He  opened  the  box.  found  the  pack 
ing  undisturbed  ;  pulling  out  a  bottle  he  found  it  empty.  This  made 
him  a  little  nervous.  He  pulled  out  another  one — that  was  empty;  then 
the  third  and  fourth  were  in  the  same  condition.  Then  he  became  ex 
cited,  and  after  he  had  taken  out  the  last  bottle  and  found  it  empty,  he 
looked  up  in  blank  astonishment.  Dr.  Allen  said,  with  countenance 
as  sober  as  a  judge,  "Why,  Doctor,  I  thought  you  told  us  you  did  not 
open  that  box.  "Well,11  replied  Dr.  Cochran,  "I  didn't,  but  those 
rascally  boys  must  have  stolen  it  on  that  scout.'1  The  Doctor  was  never 
informed  until  recently  what  became  of  that  whisky. 

HOW  WINTERS  FAILED  IN  THE  ROLE  OF  CHAPLAIN. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

Hospital  Steward  Winters  was  one  of  the  kindest  and  best  natured 
fellows  in  the  service.  He  was  "Our  Ed,1' generally  in  the  best  of 
moods,  and  always  sure  to  -raise  a  laugh"  when  relating  his  yarns  and 
humorous  stories.  Our  boys  were  often  put  in  good  spirits  and  high 
glee  when  Ed  visited  with  them  in  our  hospital.  He  always  had  kind 
and  pleasant  words  for  them.  He  had,  however,  a  habit  of  using  pro 
fane  language.  Its  use  came  as  easy  and  natural  to  him  as  his  mother 
tongue.  It  did  not  seem  to  be  used  viciously,  but  like  one  who  ' '  could 
not  help  it."  Poor  fellow,  he  has  answered  his  last  roll  call,  and  joined 
some  of  the  boys  he  so  kindly  cheered  in  their  sore  distress. 

In  November,  1862.  at  the  time  we  were  in  southwest  Missouri, 
when  it  rained  nearly  every  day  and  there  was  scarcely  any  bottom  to 
the  mud,  we  camped  for  a  day  or  two  on  Crane  creek.  Our  hospital 
was  located  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Forvis,  a  good,  pious  Union  man. 
The  sick  men  were  taken  into  the  house  and  the  dispensary  tent  pitched 
in  the  yard.  Our  genial  Ed  and  the  hospital  boys  occupied  the  tent, 
and  notwithstanding  the  rain  and  mud  Ed  was  in  the  best  of  spirits  and 
the  boys  about  him  in  about  the  same  condition,  singing  songs  and 
hymns  and  having  a  good  time  generally  ;  and  the  old  gentleman,  Mr. 
Forvis,  seemed  greatly  pleased  with  his  visitors.  One  day  when  it  was 
raining  •  •  big  guns "  Ed  came  in  with  a  sanctimonious  phiz  and  asked 
Mr.  Forvis  if  he  had  a  Bible.  He  replied  that  he  had  and  gave  it  to 
him.  Ed  thanked  him  kindly  and  went  out.  Mr.  Forvis  asked  me  if 
that  was  our  Chaplain.  This  was  altogther  too  good  an  opportunity  to 
play  a  joke  on  Ed  to  be  lost,  so  I  at  once  replied  that  he  was.  This  in 
formation  greatly  pleased  the  old  man.  He  said  he  had  not  heard  a 


382  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

good  Union  sermon  preached  since  the  war  broke  out,  and  wanted  to 
know  if  our  Chaplain  would  not  preach  to  him  and  his  neighbors  before 
we  left.  This  was  tough,  but  I  was  in  for  it.  I  replied,  ' '  Without 
doubt,  if  we  remain  here  long  enough."  Soon  we  heard  Ed  and  the 
boys  singing  Old  Hundred,  Uxb ridge,  St.  Martins,  Dundee,  and  other- 
old  and  familiar  tunes.  The  next  morning  we  received  orders  to  march. 
Ed  was  exceedingly  busy  packing,  and  getting  the  sick  boys  ready  for 
the  ambulances,  that  they  might  take  their  proper  places  in  the  column. 
The  column  was  already  moving  past.  Mr.  Forvis  and  family  were  out 
in  the  yard  viewing  "the  army."  Ed  hurriedly  bridled  his  horse,  then 
threw  the  saddle  on  him  and  reached  under  to  catch  the  saddle  girth  : 
missing  it  he  reached  again,  but  only  a  piece  of  it  was  there.  Stopping 
a  moment  he  took  in  the  situation.  Then  came  thick  and  fast,  •  •  The 

ty  —    -  rebel  calves  !  "  and  "the s  "*  came  thicker  and  faster, 

and  faster.  Mr.  Forvis  seemed  thunderstruck,  and  the  family  perfectly 
amazed.  Raising  his  hands  in  holy  horror,  Mr.  Forvis  said  :  • '  Chap 
lain  !  Chaplain  !  how  dare  you  insult  your  Maker  in  this  manner?  How 
dare  you  to  so  blaspheme  your  God  ?  I  am  so  sorry  and  surprised  that 
one  of  your  calling  should  so  far  forget  himself  as  to  use  profane  lan 
guage  !"  "Well,"  said  Ed,  "it  is  bad. v  Just  then  he  again  thought 
of  the  calf  and  broke  out  with,  "But,  by  -  -  sir,  it  is  the  first  time 

on  record  that  a ty  —    -  lousy  rebel  calf  has  had  the  audacity  to 

chaw1  a  Union  Chaplain's  saddle  girth  in  two,"  and  led  his  horse  to 
the  column,  amid  shouts  of  laughter  from  the  boys,  leaving  Mr.  Forvis 
dumb  with  sorrow  and  amazement  at  the  unparalleled  wickedness  of 
Army  Chaplains. 

Ed  had  carelessly  left  his  saddle  exposed  and  the  cattle  were  nearly 
crazed  for  salt.  They  had  found  the  saddle  girth  impregnated  with  salt 
from  the  perspiration  of  his  horse  and  had  left  scarcely  a  piece  of  it. 
Afterwards,  in  speaking  of  the  affair,  Ed  said  that  perhaps  the  old 
gentleman  was  somewhat  surprised,  but  he  was  in  a  great  hurry  to  take 
his  place  in  the  column  at  the  proper  time  ;  that  after  he  reached  for 
the  girth  the  second  time  he  very  suddenly  took  in  the  situation  and  it 
got  him  a  little  off  his  base. 

HOSPITAL  STEWARD'S  KNAPSACK— COCUMBERRY  JUICE. 

BY  SURGEON  LOTHROP. 

On  the  morning  of  October  4th,  1862,  our  army  was  preparing  to 
attack  a  rebel  force  of  about  13,000  strong,  under  General  Cooper,  at 
Newtonia,  Missouri.  We  had  marched  all  night  in  order  to  take  the 
position  assigned  us,  and  although  very  tired  the  prospect  of  a  fight 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  383 

kept  our  spirits  up.  Our  Ed  as  usual  was  full  of  fun.  He  rode  a  very 
light  gray  horse.  As  we  were  marching  in  column  preparations  were 
made  for  our  field  work,  etc.  Dr.  Cochran  ordered  Ed  with  the  hospi 
tal  knapsack  to  accompany  him  on  the  field.  The  carrying  of  the  hos 
pital  knapsack  strapped  to  his  back  was  very  repugnant  to  Ed's  feelings 
and  nearly  "broke  him  up."  He  said  nothing,  however,  but  in  a  short 
time  he  dropped  out  of  line.  In  a  few  minutes  he  came  dashing'  up. 
with  a  countenance  as  innocent  as  a  lamb,  and  took  his  place  beside 
Dr.  Cochran.  The  Doctor  in  virtuous  indignation  turned  to  him  and 
said,  "What  have  you  been  putting  your  horse  in  this  plight  for?" 

"Well,"  said  Ed,   "he  always  was  a ed  old  dirty  white  thing,  any 

way,  and  I  thought  I  would  improve  his  appearance  a  little.11  "  Sir." 
said  the  Doctor,  -  -  you  cannot  accompany  me  in  that  plight.  You  may 
fall  back,  sir,"  and  calling  Mr.  Hervey,  the  other  hospital  steward,  or 
dered  him  to  accompany  him.  Ed  had  stopped  at  a  cocumberry  bush 
and  dotted  that  nearly  white  horse  all  over  with  cocumberry  juice, 
making  a  most  ridiculous  appearance.  He  was  a  4 '  regular  circus  and 
menagerie  all  under  one  tent  with  one  price  of  admission."  The  boys, 
although  very  tired,  just  shouted  at  the  appearance  of  his  horse.  As 
Ed  came  back  he  said  to  us,  • '  It  seems  to  me  that  Dr.  Cochran  is  pretty 
— ed  particular."  But  he  did  not  carry  that  knapsack. 

THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE. 

BY  J.  R.   MARTIN,   COMPANY  E. 

Our  army's  being  "mustered  out,"  the  army  of  the  free. 

And  soon  the  ' '  final  papers  "  will  come  to  you  and  me  ; 

But,   "boys/1  we  fought  and  fought  right  well,  and  if  at  last  we  lag. 

We  leave  to  our  posterity  a  free,  untarnished  flag. 

How  faithfully  we  followed  our  "dear  old  stripes  and  stars," 
"Till  in  the  grim  dust  of  defeat  went  down  the  "  stars  and  bars," 
Let  other  tongues  than  mine  describe  ;  they'll  tell  the  story  right. 
How  Freedom's  flag  now  waves  secure  in  Freedom's  holy  light. 

But  I  glory  in  the  knowledge  it  was  given  us  to  teach, 
That  the  foul  hand  of  rebellion  was  powerless  to  reach 
And  wrench  the  crown  of  glory  with  parricidal  hand, 
And  brand  with  dire  dishonor  Columbia's  happy  land. 

How  all  the  •  •  Old  World  Tyrants  "  would  have  smiled  at  our  defeat. 
And  knowing  that  from  their  fell  hands  their  serfs  had  no  retreat. 
With  iron  hand  had  grasped  the  throat  of  poor  though  honest  toil. 
To  wring  still  more  of  life-blood   from  the  tillers  of  the  soil. 


384  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

But  thank  the  "God  of  Battles,11  who  was  with  our  boys  in  blue, 
They  sustained  our  "Goddess  Liberty11  and  saw  her  safely  through  : 
And  now,  like  King  Balthazar,  they  the  writing  on  the  wall 
Will  see,  which  tells  their  quailing  souls  that  they  like  he  must  fall. 

And  though  our  fighting  days,  comrades,  are  almost  o'er. 
We  have  left  to  Freedom  a  domain  that  spreads  from  shore  to  shore. 
From  east  to  west,  from  north  to  south,  Columbia's  realm  is  large. 
And  she'll  give  her  brave  defenders  all  an  honorable  discharge. 

And  our  children  coming  after,  with  their  sires'  blood  in  their  veins. 
Will  protect  what  we  defended  on  those  bloody  southern  plains. 
So  we'll  light  our  pipes  in  comfort,  tell  our  battles  o'er  and  o'er. 
Until  "God  the  Great  Commander"  orders  us  to  join  His  corps. 

But  do  not  blame  the  "boys  in  gray" — we  know  that  they  were  brave. 

And  many  a  poor  Confederate  lies  in  an  unknown  grave. 

Who  fought  for  his  opinions,  which  he  perhaps  thought  true  : 

God  save  his  soul!  he  should  have  been  among  -the  Boys  in  Blue." 


ROSTER 


ADDITIONAL  ANNOUNCEMENT. 

FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY  ASSOCIATION, 
CEDAR  RAPIDS,  IOWA,  February  3d,  1891. 

COMRADES  : — It  was  the  intention  of  Surgeon  Lothrop  to  have  added 
the  full  roster  of  the  regiment  as  it  appears  in  the  Adjutant  General's 
Reports  of  the  State,  but  as  the  historical  and  biographical  portions  of 
the  volume,  together  with  the  portraits  and  reminiscences,  exceed  the 
number  of  pages  estimated,  your  committee  think  best  to  change  the 
original  plan  so  far  as  the  roster  is  concerned,  and  to  give  only  the 
names  of  all  comrades,  (except  in  case  of  field  and  staff,  and  of  compa 
ny  commissioned  officers,  whose  highest  rank  is  given  in  each  enumer 
ation,)  who  ever  served  in  the  regiment.  Our  only  reason  for  so  doing 
is  to  expedite  matters  in  the  publication,  which  has  already  been  de 
layed,  and  to  curtail  the  expense  somewhat  in  the  cost  of  publishing  the 
book,  believing  that  the  same  will  be  satisfactory  to  our  comrades. 

The  narrative  part  of  the  work  is  just  as  written  by  our  historian, 
Surgeon  Lothrop. 

Fraternally,  THE  COMMITTEE. 


1861-62, 

FIELD   AND  STAFF, 


Fitz  Henry  Warren,  Colonel. 
James  O.  Gower,  Colonel. 
Charles  E.  Moss,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
P.  Gad  Bryan,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Edwin  W.  Chamberlain,  Major. 
Joseph  W.  Caldwell.  Major. 
Wm.  M.  G.  Torrence,  Major. 
Daniel  Anderson.  Major. 
Joseph  C.  Stone.  Adjutant. 
49 


David  A.  Kerr,  Adjutant. 
Martin  L.  Morris.  Quartermaster, 
Sanrl  C.  Dickerson,  Quartermaster. 
Claus  H.  Albers,  Quartermaster. 
Henry  L.  Dashiel,  Commissary. 
James  M.  Bryan.  Battalion  Adjt. 
H.  K.  Robinson,  Battalion  Adjt. 
Joseph  S.  Edsall.  Battalion  Adjt. 
J.  A.  Landis,  Bat.  Quartermaster. 


386 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


('has.  A.  Case,  Bat.  Quartermaster. 
W.  H.  Muzzy.  Bat.  Quartermaster. 
Milton  B.  Oochran,  Surgeon. 
David  B.  Allen,  Asst.  Surgeon, 
(/has.  H.  Lothrop,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
('.  B.  Bosbyshell,  A.  A.  Surgeon. 
James  W.  Latham,  Chaplain. 
David  C.  Mclntyre,  Serg.  Major. 
John  B.  Aiken,  Serg.  Major. 
Everts  S.  Ewing,  Q.  M.  S. 
John  A.  Donnell,  Q.  M.  S. 
Daniel  Easley,  Jr..  Com.  Sergeant, 
Wm.  W.  Fluke,  Com.  Sergeant. 
James  Hervey,  Hospital  Steward. 
.John  J.  Sanders.  Hos.  Steward. 
Edwin  M.  Winters.  Hos.  Steward, 
Wm.  Mann,  Farrier. 
Wm.  G.  Applegate.  Sad.  Sergt, 
Joseph  T.  Foster,  B.  S.  M. 
James  L.  King.  B.  S.  M. 
Hiram  A.  Park,  B.  Q.  M.  S. 
Dexter  A.  Buck.  B.  C.  S. 
Thomas  H.  Elder,  B.  H.  S. 


John  Smitz,  B.  S.  S. 
Moses  C.  Chase,  B.  S.  S. 
Michael  Cheeseman,  B.  V.  S. 
Otto  Rathlander,  B.  V.  S. 
A.  G.  Cunningham.  Bugler. 
Samuel  Mitchell.  Bugler. 
H.  Kinstenmacher,  Band  Leader. 
John  F.  Wanichek,  1st  Musician. 
David  W.  Forbes,  1st  Musician. 
W.  Clark  Hall.  1st  Musician. 
Hiram  J.  Dunwell,  1st  Musician. 
Henry  Minton,  2d  Musician. 
John  L.  Marshall,  2d  Musician. 
George  F.  Davidson,  2d  Musician. 
Richard  W.  Brown,  2d  Musician. 
John  Rule,  3d  Musician. 
Henry  M.  Butler,  3d  Musician. 
Lewis  Keen,  3d  Musician. 
John  M.  Caldwell,  3d  Musician. 
Gamaliel  B.  Williams,  3d  Musician. 
Harlow  Kenny,  3d  Musician. 
Henry  D.  Keller,  3d  Musician. 
Sylvester  Butler.  3d  Musician. 


COMPANY  A. 


Wm.  M.  G.  Torrence,  Captain. 
Alex.  G.  McQueen.  Captain. 


Robt.  M.  Reynolds,  1st  Lieutenant 
John  A.  Bishop.  2d  Lieutenant. 


Aaron  H.  Thatcher. 
George  Reafler. 
Michael  Cheeseman. 
Isaac  Ferrell, 
Wm.  C.  Andrews. 
Harvey  Adair, 
Benjamin   Blair. 
Bartlett  Brown. 
Wm.  O.  Burns, 
George  W.  Collins. 
Alexander  Carter. 
William  H.  Carey. 
David  Coriley. 


David  A.  Kerr, 

( 1la,us  Henry  Albers. 

Andrew  S.  Hamilton. 

Alex.  P.  Boyce. 

John  L.  Russell, 

Hugh  Martin. 

.John  R.  Marshall. 

Henry  L.  Morrill, 

Thomas  C.  Van  Hook. 

Walter  S.  Gray. 

James  Turner, 

Brainard   Bridges. 

Samuel  H.  Newell. 

Joseph  C.  McCandless,    William  Carter. 

James   Robertson. 

Thomas  J.  O'Bleness. 

Joseph  S.  Van  Sant. 

C.  F.  Driskill. 

William  Goodin. 

John  Wright  No.  I. 

Anthony  Vanaerman. 

Thomas  Reynolds. 

John  Wright  No.  2. 

A.  G.  Cunningham. 

Henry  Wisner. 

Finton  Torrence. 

William  K.  Reeves. 


Francis  M.  Davis. 

Thomas  C.  Fletcher. 

Lewis  H.  Foster, 

Owen  P.  Gore, 

Hiram  Gabriel, 

Ambrose  Gallagher, 

Edward  Hollingsworth,  Lewis  E.  Short. 

Herman*  J.  Huiskamp.    Anglos  F.  Sala. 


Frank  H.  Jones. 
Thomas  S.  James, 
Alexander  Kennedy. 
Charles  H.  Lyons, 
Wm.  Linn, 
James  McCutcheon. 
James  F.  McKinley. 
George  R.  Miller. 
George  McKee. 
John  Mack, 
Charles  C.  Moss.  Jr.. 
Peter  Nelson. 
Andrew  (.)'  Bleness. 
Thomas  M.  Pond. 
Samuel  Pore, 
William  Pore, 
Daniel  Reibold, 
Elmore  Reed. 
Lewis  Rosecrans. 
Josiah  Ray. 


John  Herwick, 
Henry  Hoagland. 
Wm.  Horton. 
James  Hill. 
James  E.  Johnston. 


John  Smith, 
James  Scott. 
Wm.  Scheyli. 
Jacob  M.  Shook. 
Zachariah   E.  Thomas, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


387 


Pleas.  A.  Timberlake.  George  W.  Wasson, 

Davis  C.  Turner,  George  Welchymer, 

Prentice  K.  Tuttle,  Addison  Walker, 

Wm.  F.  Thornidke.  Lewis  B.  Wisbey. 


William  Wyatt, 
Walker  Wilson, 
Harrison  T.  WTilson, 
Andrew  J.  Wilson. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


James  Smith, 
John  W.  Cross, 
George  W.  Green, 
Wm.  W.  Blair, 
Moses  Short, 
Michael  Malone, 
Richard  T.  Baker. 


Milton  B.  Boord. 
Hiram  C.  Ellsworth. 
W.  H.  Fortune, 
Gilbert  W.  Jenree, 
Hiram  Leland, 
Eli  R.  Oiler, 
Alexander  Osborne, 

COMPANY  B. 


Prosper  A.  Rose, 
Levi  Wm.  Rosecrans. 
Orlando  P.  Sala, 
Elihu  Seabolt, 
Edward  Seabolt, 
George  F.  Davison. 


William  E.  Leffingwell,  Captain, 
Samuel  S.  Burdett,  Captain, 


Joseph  T.  Foster.   1st  Lieutenant, 
Wm.  H.  DeFreest.  2d  Lieutenant. 


Joseph  S.  Edsall. 
John  M.  Gates, 
Henry  P.  Sniffer, 
Lemuel  C.  Hinman, 
Robert  B.  Fulton, 
Jephtha  B.  Dunn. 
Wellington  Allen. 
George  Kincaid, 
David  C.  Mclntyre, 
Joseph  S.  Vandegi'ift 
Strong  Buell, 
Benj.  S.  Woodward. 
Hiram  S.  Heberling. 
Levi  G.  Allen, 
James  Lister, 
George  A.  Gibson. 
John  A.  Miller. 
Hiram  G.  Hunt, 
Duncan  C.  McDonell. 
Wm.  W.  Gardner, 
Robert  T.  LeCavalier. 
Job  G.  Morton, 
Lemuel  Durling. 
Ezra  J.  SMith. 
Wm.  L.  Soper, 
Charles  C.  Hall. 
Isaac  Gulick, 
John  F.  Wanichek. 
Edmond  T.  Hopkins. 
George  C.  Tyler. 

John  Downing, 
William   H.  Evans. 
Simon  J.  Toll. 
Cornelius  Crawford. 
Nicholas  Adams. 
David  S.  Bullock. 
Samuel   Barr. 


John  K.  McKeen, 
Thomas  Mullins. 
William  G.  Graham, 
John  Richards, 
George  D.  Allen. 
George  V.  Avery, 
George  F.  Bantz. 
John  L.  Barr, 
Dexter  A.  Buck. 
John  Carr, 
Silas  D.  Crawford. 
George  R.  Carney, 
Orrin  B.  Crane, 
Marcus  M.  Chatfield, 
Thomas  Coleman. 
John  A.  Coe, 
James  C.  Carr, 
James  M.  Devinney. 
Thomas  Dooling. 
William  Durling, 
John  Ditch 
Lyman  H.  Evans, 
George  Flemming, 
Samuel  B.  Gates, 
Wm.  H.  Garland. 
Henry  L.  Grover. 
Henry  Guth, 
George  H.  Harper. 
Wm.  J.  Haney. 
Reason  B.  Heddin. 


William  Hu^hson. 
Harlow  Kinney. 
James  C.  Kier, 
John  M.  D.  Kelly. 
John  Kelly, 
Henry  K.  Lowry, 
David  D.  Mills, 
Almond  M.  Mosher, 
Squire  Monroe, 
Richard  Moore, 
Peter  W.  McDonnell. 
Luke  Pierson, 
Charles  G.  Penniinan. 
George  Redfearn. 
Frank  Robinson, 
Isaac  Rhodes, 
Joseph  H.  Robertson, 
Elisha  G.  Stanley, 
Alexander  Shields, 
Sylvester  M.  Scott. 
Howard  E.  Smith, 
Henry  B.  Stockwell. 
August  Thomas. 
Frederick  Thorn, 
William  Wilber. 
Edwin  M.  Winters. 
Samuel  Whipple, 
William  H.  H.  West. 
Dwight  Wheedon. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


William  H.  Bray. 
John  M.  Chase, 
Thomas  M.  Crawford. 
Michael  Cunningham, 
George  W.  Dilley, 
Hughey  L.  Heinman, 


S.  H.  McMasters. 
George  Rouse. 
John  S.  Stearns, 
Warren  Williams, 
Oscar  G.  Williams, 
Benjamin  F.  Monroe. 


388 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


COMPANY  C. 

Levi  Chase,  Captain.  Albert  F.  Dean,  2d  Lieutenant. 

Benjamin  Raney.  1st  Lieutenant.     Thomas  Jones,  1st  Lieutenant. 
Mathew  Ronaldson,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Samuel   H.  F.  Wilson, 
William  A.  Clark. 
Wm.  G.  Harbach, 
Clinton  M.  Turner. 
Orien  F.  Lane, 
Elijah  W.  Majors, 
Benjamin  S.  Castle. 
James  L.  King-. 
Otio  S.  Whiting. 
Jackson  Carter. 
Thos.  J.  R.  Perry. 
Martin  Moore, 
Andrew  W.  Wyman. 
John  L.  Baltzer. 
Edward  L.  Stone. 
George  Patterson. 
Franklin  Taylor. 
Jackson  Carter. 
Paul  Hendricks. 
Samuel  Chapman. 
George  Hook. 
William  Allen. 
James  Ingersoll. 
Thomas  Hutchinson. 
Edwin  W.  Deal. 
Oliver  W.  Cott'man. 
Samuel  Atherton. 
Franklin  Arrickson. 
Joseph   Boltz 
George   Barr. 
Almond   Bowman. 


Henry  C.  Blake, 
Benjamin  A.  Brewer. 
Albert  C.  Brice, 
Joseph  BreesT 
Michael  Boyer, 
Josiah  Cameron, 
George  H.  Carey. 
John  B.  Cole. 
Simeon  Cooley, 
Curtis  M.  Copp, 
Benjamin  F.  Clegg. 
James  Cork  well. 
Joseph  Clothier. 
Harvey  J.  Clingfield. 
Thaddeus  J.  Dean, 
Dipperman,  Henry  J. 
Franklin  Drury. 
George  Delfelter. 
Charles  C.  Eastman, 
John  M.  Fife, 
Wm.  A.  Guardner, 
Mathew  C.  Glann, 
Isaac  Hammond. 
Alex.  T.  Hamilton. 
George  C.  Hawkins. 
Porter  W.  Henry. 
Michael  Higgins. 
Loyd  Horner, 
John  Hillery. 
Henry  Jefferson. 
Luther  B.  Johnson. 


Thomas  Jones, 
Rolla  Kimball, 
Robert  G.  Laughlin. 
Nicholas  Lacosta, 
Alfred  J.  Lither, 
Charles  E.  Madera. 
Samuel  Marchant. 
Michael  McCrary. 
William  Morgan. 
S.  Parkinson, 
Horace  Payne, 
Charles  Rankin. 
John  Russell, 
John  Simmons, 
George  C.  Sackett. 
Wm.  H.  Slocum, 
Wm.  P.  Shelton. 
Allen  Stoddard. 
Wm.  S.  Steele. 
Grand ville  Stockman. 
Abraham  Stutsman. 
Joseph  O.  Scanlon. 
Michael  Seyb, 
James  G.  Unger. 
Rufus  Underwood, 
George  Vanbeek. 
Elijah  G.  Wilcox. 
Geo.  L.  Whitmarsh. 
Jacob  R.  Wolfe, 
Otis  S.  WThiting, 
Theodore  Zingre. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


Malcomb  S.  Andrews. 
Wilbert  S.  Andrews. 
Benjamin  F.  Barr. 
Wm.  W.  Barr. 
Wm.  L.  Brown. 
Jno.  S.  B.  Coggeshall. 
Henry  Gear-heart. 
Israel   Henry. 


Paul  Hendricks. 
Wm.  H.  Hendricks. 
John  L.  Hill. 
John  W.  Kershner. 
Wm.  O.  S.  Keaver. 
Bascomb  H.  Kelly. 
Wm.  Morgan. 
Richard  F.  Morgan. 


Huston  H.  Ritchie. 
Wm.  B.  Smith, 
Nicholas  Stover. 
John  W.  Voss, 
Samuel  B.  Welch. 
Thomas  D.  Wilson. 
Pliny  Wilcox. 


COMPANY  1). 

P    Gad   Bryan,  Captain.  Wm.  R.  Shriver,  1st  Lieutenant. 

James  D.  Jenks,  Captain.  George  M.  Walker,  2d  Lieutenant. 


James  M.  Bryan, 
Perry  R.  Cross  wait, 
Abraham  J.  Reeves. 
Butler  Bird. 
Jesse  R.  Lambert. 


James  G.  Rutter. 
Clarence  S.  Wilson. 
Henry  Shaver. 
James  K.  McGinnis. 


\Vm.  Turk, 
Carlos  E.  Sampson. 
Hiram  Metcalf. 
Wm.  H.  Newman. 


Jeremiah  T.  Garrison.    William  B.  Ramsey. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


389 


William  H.  Crosswait, 

Samuel  K.  Shannon, 
William  Applegate, 
John  H.  McMahon. 
John  Hammon, 
David  W.  Griffith. 
John  Harlow, 
Benjamin  F.  Griffith, 
F]verts  S.  Ewing, 
David  D.  Burnett, 
Amos  H.  McClure. 
Willet  Carpenter, 
John  T.  Kendall. 
Milton  Carter, 
Henry  B.  An  Dyke; 
John  Barlow, 
James  H.  Bird, 
David  W.  Burnett. 
James  W.  Black. 
Aaron  Biggs. 
Thomas  Black, 
Wm.  W.  Kerr, 


Elihu  G.  Barker, 
Samuel  W.  Conrad, 
William  C.  Carter, 
George  H.  Colville, 
Thomas  M.  Cleland, 
Cornelius  Decker, 
Andrew  J.  Fransher, 
Andrew  Foust, 
William  Graham, 
John  W.  Graham, 
Isaac  E.  Groom, 
Anndrew  J.  Gilmore, 
Charles  W.  Hunt, 
H.  E.  Halterman 
Levi  Hammon, 
James  Howey, 
Peter  Hill, 
Wm.  W.  Hicks, 
George  Hollingsworth, 
Milton  Judkins, 
Francis  M.  Judkins. 


Charles  Lewis, 
William  Lewis, 
Wm.  O.  Lee, 
Bayliss  E.  Lake, 
Charles  C.  Martin, 
William  McGee, 
Myron  Maine, 
Hiram  Metcalf, 
Jonathan  Pettit, 
George  Reed, 
James  B.  Rabbit, 
Jesse  Slough, 
Wm.  Shannon, 
Thomas  T.  Stradley, 
Jabez  Snythebotham. 
Enoch  Trimble, 
John  J.  Thompson, 
Harvey  Thomas, 
John  H.  Williams, 
Thomas  Williams, 
Wm.  M.  Wilson. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


David  H.  Brown. 
Edward  H.  Brown, 
John  M.  Crinwell. 
John  C.  Delbridge, 
Samuel  A.  Flanders. 
Abel  Graham, 
Henry  Hammon, 
Tilman  G.  Harmon. 
Wm.  L.  Hornby, 
Albert  Hutchinson. 
Tyra  R.  Hutching, 
Henry  C.  Jeffries. 
Benjamin  R.  Johnson. 
Jonathan  Judkins. 


John  B.  Judkins. 
Roswell  W.  Kelly, 
De\Vitt  C.  Kelly, 
John  Kirk, 
Thomas  J.  Lewis. 
Wm.  O.  Ludlow, 
Samuel  J.  McCaulley, 
James  K.  McCandless. 
Thomas  McClean. 
Valentine  Martin. 
William  H.  Magill. 
Charles  T.  Magill. 
Samuel  B.  Palmer, 
James  H.  Palmer, 


William  A.  Dickson. 
William   Pursell, 
Joseph  K.  Reynolds. 
Andrew  J.  Rubles, 
Alanson  W.  Sage, 
Matthias  R.  Shaver. 
George  W.  Shaver. 
John  W.  Shaver, 
Jackson  C.  Smith. 
Edward  Shufeldt, 
Mathew  Wilkin, 
Wm.  F.  Whitmarsh, 
Chas.  E.  Whitmarsh. 


COMPANY  E. 

William  Thompson.  Captain,  Silas  R.  Nugen,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Wm.  P.  McClure.  1st  Lieutenant.     Thos.  A.  Bereman.  2d  Lieutenant. 
Sumner  B.  Marshall,  2d  Lieutenant. 


William  A.  Coulter, 
Franklin  D.  Mailing. 
Joseph  H.  Blazer. 
Thomas  J.  Marsh. 
Cyrus  H.  Wills. 
Henrv  Warren, 
Wm.  W.  Fluke. 
Alex.  F.  Wildason. 
J.  T.  North. 
Christian  KautTman. 
Turner  B.  Wing. 


Arthur  M.  Cornwell. 
Charles  B.  Weller, 
George  W.  Vanorsdol, 
Elias  Pricket, 
Henry  T.  Pownall, 
Clementine  M.  Bird, 
W.  H.  H.  Ogan, 
John  Thompson. 
Peter  M.  Redd, 
Joseph  H.  Arnold. 
Josiah  Lees. 


Robert  Baxter. 
William  Hull, 
William  C.  Hall, 
Nathaniel  L.  Ives, 

C.  M.  Snyder, 
John  T.  Brooks. 
George  Ruel, 
Moses  C.  Chase, 

D.  C.  Bumbgardner. 
George  Acton, 
Theodore  Bigler. 


390 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


T.  B.  Beam, 
Thomas  Buck, 
F.  M.  Buck, 
Alexander  Brown, 
A.  B.  Chatterton, 
J.  A.  Campbell, 
N.  G.  Chilcott, 
George  F.  Coats, 
William  Cratty. 
W.  R.  Craig, 
F.  H.  Cole. 
Amasa  Daily, 
John  E.  Frank. 
H.  H.  Hess, 
[.  N.  Hall, 
T.  J.  Hancock, 
John  W.  Hardin. 
A.  W.  Hoffman, 


B.  M.  Heatherington. 

C.  W.  Howard, 
George  E.  Ives, 
Josiah  James, 
W.  H.  Johnson, 
Zachariah  Kinnett, 
Christian  Kauffman. 
Jeremiah  Kitchen, 
Orlando  Kincaid, 
Cyrus  L.  Kincaid, 
Gad  Lyman. 
Clarke  Lynch, 
Martin  Meredith, 
John  McCormick, 
Joseph  Masden, 

J.  C.  Oakes, 
W.  B.  Patton. 
John  W.  Hardin, 


Jacob  Pfoutz, 
Joseph  M.  Potter, 
Jacob  S.  Probasco, 
George  W.  Ramsey, 
S.  S.  Sterling, 
E.  M.  Stapleton, 
Abraham  Shippen. 
Samuel  Thompson, 
John  G.  Van  Voast. 
Oliver  H.  White. 
W.  N.  White, 
John  C.  Wilson. 
James  Wilson, 
Ransom  Wralker, 
L.  D.  Wiggins, 
Cyrenus  Wrarren, 
George  Worley. 
Nathaniel   Ives. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTEK. 


Elijah  H.  Bartlett. 
John  W.  Baker, 
Wm.  W.  Barr, 
Emery  Bennett, 
Thomas  M.  Beam, 
Wm.  G.  Blank, 
Henry  H.  Cratty, 
Carlisle  Canterbury, 
Andrew  J.  Day. 
Wm.  A.  Davis, 
Mortimer  B.  Daniell, 
Chandler  W.  Ellsworth. 


Wrm.  F.  Earhart, 
John  W.  Fowler, 
William  Gray, 
Samuel  Grimes, 
Frederick  P.  Helphrey, 
George  W.  Hill, 
John  E.  Hipwell. 
Jacob  Hulbert, 
Eugene  W.  Hall. 
Charles  Jobes, 
Thomas  J.  Marsh, 
Daniel  Helphrey, 


Wm.  B.  Miller, 
James  Montgomery. 
Samuel  J.  Morgan. 
Aug.  S.  McCormick. 
Andrew  Patterson. 
Upton  S.  Ramsey. 
Joseph  B.  Ramsey. 
John  Smith, 
Fletcher  M.  Welpton. 
Harvey  Wing, 
Jonathan  Willford. 


COMPANY  F. 

James  O.  Gower,  Captain.  Philip  E.  Shafer.  Captain. 

James  R.  Elliott,  Captain.  Charles  Dustin,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Jacob  Hursh,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Absalom  J.  Beeson, 
Charles  W.  Wr.  Dow, 
Martin  L.  Morris, 
David  E.  Morgan. 
Nelson  H.  Browner, 
Jacob  L.  Wyly, 
John  J.  Sanders. 
James  H.  McCord, 
William  Hunter, 
William  F.  Hamilton. 
James  C.  Huskins, 
Henry  W.  Shaver, 
Thomas  H.  Hart, 
Marquis  G.  Troup. 
William  Tatman. 
James  Convey. 
Thomas  J.  Brown, 
Frederick  A.  Druff. 


Allison  Bunker, 
Uberto  E.  Johnson, 
Stephen  M.  Sexton, 
Justin  G.  Patton, 
Carey  R.  Smith, 
Peter  B.  Greaves, 
Shedrick  M.  Hines. 
Charles  A.  Barlow. 
John  S.  Baker, 
Enos  H.  Wilson. 
James  W.  Crawford, 
William  McClure, 
William  H.  Hamilton, 
Thomas  D.  Morgan. 
James  E.  Wilson, 
Samuel  C.  Dickerson, 
James  B.  Doran, 
George  D.  Hanna, 


Samuel  Mitchell. 
Richard  L.  Hoxie. 
Thomas  Clarke. 
James  J.  Bell. 
John  Smitz, 
Daniel  Austin. 
Robert  Allen, 
John  S.  Allen, 
Daniel  D.  Boyd. 
Wm.  R.  Bolding. 
John  Bolton, 
Balthazar  Bollinger. 
Wm.  J.  Bowen, 
W.  H.  H.  Cunningham. 
John  Corlett, 
James  S.  Catlin, 
John  C.  Gerrard, 
James  C.  Wilson, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


391 


John  Hamilton, 
Henry  C.  Hamlin. 
Oliver  P.  Hull, 
George  Hart, 
Ray  S.  Hart. 
Moses  F.  Johnson. 
John  Kay, 
Max  Klein, 
Joseph  W.  Latta. 


Stephen  Baker, 
James  C.  Boston, 
Jesse  Bunker, 
James  L.  Calvert, 
Warren  H.  Clark. 
Loren  R.  Craig-, 
Alexander  Doran. 
Berriman  Easton, 
Thomas  Ferrell, 
William  George. 
Enoch  Goodwin, 
Elisha  Grey, 
Joseph  G.  Hise. 
Stephen  Hook. 
Cyrus  Housell, 
( 'halmers  Woodruff. 


James  W.  McCormick, 
Charles  Mayer, 
John  Novinger, 
Albert  Powers, 
Benjamin  F.  Parsons, 
Hildabert  Perry, 
Bernard  C.  Reilly, 
John  R.  Sumner, 
Cleophas  Smelcer, 


Samuel  Sewell, 
Mal.etius  J.  Simms, 
William  E.  Snodgrass. 
Oregan  A.  Stillings, 
Emory  F.  Stratton, 
Joseph  C.  Stone, 
Thos.  A.  Williamson. 
Isaiah  P.  Wilson. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


A.  Hollingsworth, 
Benj.  Hollingsworth, 
John  C.  Hunter, 
Henry  P.  Jones, 
Irving  C.  Jones, 
John  H.  Jobe, 
Ephraim  Jobe, 
Thomas  Kendall, 
James  L.  Mathews, 
George  W.  Mitchell, 
A.  J.  Montgomery, 
Joseph  Moody, 
Charles  McCoy, 
George  McClure, 
David  M.  McCord. 
Thomas  Reed, 

COMPANY  G. 


Cory  don  L.  Nurse. 
Bryan  O'Connor, 
Alonzo  Owen, 
Russell  Park, 
Abraham  Palmer. 
Wm.  Powers, 
Thomas  M.  Priddy, 
George  W.  Reilly. 
Wm.  H.  Smith, 
Alpheus  Titus. 
Charles  H.  Thompson, 
Samuel  Van  Norman. 
Ira  Williams, 
John  D.  Wilson. 
Josiah  Wilson. 


James  D.  Thompson,  Captain.  Herman  H.  Heath,  1st  Lieutenant. 

John  McDermott,  Captain.  Elkanah  S.   Foster,   1st  Lieutenant. 

Solomon  Smith,  2d  Lieutenant. 


James  M.  Simeral. 
Horace  Barren. 
Wm.  W.  Babcock, 
Orlo  W.  Dunton, 
Silas  N.  Palmer. 
Alfred  A.  Alline. 
Harris  Hoover. 
Isaac  Soule, 
Geo.  W.  Walton. 
George  R.  Boswell. 
James  Hervey, 
Albert  W.  Hosford, 
James  W.  McDermott, 
Lawrence  Schoonover, 
Joshua  D.  Myers, 
John  Q.  Hanna, 
Samuel  M.  Hoff. 
Victor  Gilbert. 
Samuel  A.  Rice. 
Samuel  D.  Drake. 
Arthur  F.  Rudolph. 
Jason   Robinson. 


George  W.  Camp. 
Joel  G.  Lounsberry. 
Daniel  R.  Hopper, 
James  H.  Stewart, 
Hiram  J.  Dun  well, 
Joseph  C.  Ervin, 
Michael  O.  Sullivan. 
Purdy  M.  Byerly, 
Thomas  Mulford, 
Charles  A.  Adams, 
John  Armitage, 
Edward  Bronson, 
James  W.  Beecroft, 
James  C.  Boston, 
Edward  J.  Brown, 
Levi  Cassleman, 
Hugh  C.  Connell, 
Suell  Dodge, 
Thomas  B.  Drake, 
George  H.  Dubois, 
George  Deetrick, 
Luther  W.  Sanderson, 


Allen   Fowkes, 
William  B.  Fish. 
Stanton  Fanning. 
Robert  Gartley, 
Mathew  Gant, 
Thomas  S.  'Heller. 
Alonzo  L.  Hurd. 
Wm.  D.  Johnson, 
Augustus  J.  Kintz. 
Ernst  A.  Klingenberg, 
John  W.  Krapfel. 
Alexander  Larkey. 
Theodore  LeBarr, 
Joshua  D.  Myers. 
John  Murphy, 
James  McDermott, 
Nathaniel  McCurren. 
Jack  Monroe, 
Arie  Morgan, 
Robert  G.  Needels. 
Stephen  G.  Rice, 
Joseph  A.  Turner, 


392 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


Otto  Rothlander, 
N".  B.  Rosenberry, 
Frank  F.  Sanderson, 
Elon  J.  Skinner, 
David  W.  Scott, 


Louis  Scherrer, 
James  H.  Stewart, 
Edwin  J.  Smith, 
Henry  Schertz, 
James  L.  Stone, 


Frank  Talty, 
W.  W.  Timmins, 
Silas  W.  Trenchard, 
J.  F.  Emberg, 
Edmund  L.  Wells. 


Charles  M.  Simmons,     John  B.  Stevenson, 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


Jeremiah  Bivins, 
Marshall  D.  Carpenter. 
Daniel  K.  Cobb. 
Wilson  Clark, 
John  F.  Clark, 
Oscar  J.  Daniels. 
Levi  S.  Drinkwalter. 
Frederick  B.  Dora, 
George  Ellsworth, 
John  M.  Fur  man, 
John  Gebhart, 
Henry  Gregory, 
James  H.  Hadley. 
Howard  Hall, 
Albert  S.  Hurd. 


John  Kirk, 
Charles  H.  Kibbee. 
George  W.  Carr, 
E.  L.  Clinkenbeard. 
John  M.  Crinwell, 
Edward  Lauderdale. 
Lester  Coe, 
Earl  K.  McMillen, 
Rasmus  Marshall, 
Thomas  Mullins, 
Charles  H.  Porter, 
Cornelius  Pocock, 
George  P.  Ranslow, 
Samuel  A.  Rose. 
Nelson  Slaiken, 


John  W.  Smith, 
Lacy  M.  Simmons, 
Benjamin  F.  Skinner. 
F.  H.  Severance, 
Henry  C.  Skinner, 
Henry  P.  Tayton, 
Jno.  L.  B.  Thompson. 
Palmer  B.  Turner. 
John  Vest, 
Eli  Waring-, 
John  Wheeler, 
John  H.  Williams, 
Jerome  B.  Wentworth. 
Christopher  C.  Wilson. 
John  M.  Young, 


COMPANY  H. 

Daniel  Anderson,  Captain.  Wm.  S.  \V 

Riley  Westcoatt,  Captain. 


hisenand,  1st  Lieutenant. 
Albert  U.  McCormick,  2d  Lieut. 


Samuel  T.  Craig, 
Edwin  R.  Rockwell, 
Allen  W.  Knight, 
George  Sturges, 
David  K.  Webster. 
Daniel  I.  Leffler, 
William  H.  Harris. 
Josephus  Hays. 
John  B.  Matson, 
Henry  L.  DashielJ. 
Daniel  Easley,  Jr.. 
George  W.  Hartman. 
John  S.  Birkhead. 
Isaac  S.  Jones, 
flames  H.  Cowan. 
Aaron  G.  Chambers. 
James  R.  Castle. 
James  H.  McCoy. 
Chalres  M.  Williams. 
George  M.  Mark. 
Harlow  G.  Bates. 
Nathan  Gilbert. 
Blair  Reitzell, 
David  C.  Ken  worthy. 
William  Shartom. 
Samuel  J.  Hunt, 
Israel  Shepherd. 
George  Sturges. 


Benjamin  Shuman, 
William  O.  Parmenter. 
John  Dull, 
Henry  Wood, 
William  H.  Adams, 
Isaac  S.  Jones, 
Silas  Adams, 
James  C.  Allen, 
Joseph  S.  Bates. 
Sterling  S.  Bates, 
Abraham  A.  Babb. 
Washington  Bernard. 
Francis  P.  Birkhall. 
David  H.  Bristow. 
Franklin  Barton, 
Nathan  A.  Carroll. 
David  Carnes, 
James  H.  Cowan. 
William  H.  Cowan. 
James  Craig, 
Stephen  Crause. 
John  Dull, 
Thomas  H.  Dull, 
Chilon  Dixon, 
Thomas  H.  Elder. 
Thomas  F.  Fauts. 
Robert  Sinclair. 
Wm.  H.  Spurgin. 


James  H.  Furman, 
Benjamin  F.  Gates, 
Henry  C.  Gilbert. 
Thomas  Grey, 
Andrew  J.  Harrison. 
Isaac  Hartsuck, 
Lafayette  Harris, 
Walter  S.  Handley. 
Josephus  Hays, 
Charles  H.  Holmes. 
Allen  W.  Knight, 
Richard  S.  Knight, 
Wm.  B.  Kendall, 
Alexander  M.  Leffler. 
David  I.  Leffler, 
Cornelius  O.  Leary, 
James  Mark, 
Edwin  H.  Maydole. 
Henry  M.  Miller. 
William  Mann. 
Dyas  Neill, 
Jacob  B.  Roades. 
David  W.  Scott. 
John  Snook, 
Martin  W.  Sullivan, 
Luman  Storey, 
Robert  W.  Tuttle. 
Sidney  Wells. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


393 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTEK. 


Lawson  Carlton, 
Daniel  M.  Elder, 
Charles  A.  Emery, 
Levi  R.  Frenier, 
Daniel  H.  Furman. 
Allen  K.  George. 
John  Gilbert, 
Albert  Gilbert, 
Vincent  M.  Guinn, 
John  Hampton. 
Albert  T.'Hart, 
Ludwig  B.  Hazard. 


Ozro  Harrington, 
Adam  R.  Hartzell, 
Phineas  Judson. 
Henry  E.  Johnston. 
Sylvanus  M.  Kester. 
Henry  H.  Jefferson, 
David  Hodges, 
Wm.  T.  Maxwell, 
Thomas  A.  Matson. 
Clifford  W.  Mason. 
John  McDowell. 
Zachariah  P.  Murry. 


Nelson  M.  Maydole, 
Henry  Osborn, 
Frederick  H.  Purinton, 
Abram  Remson, 
John  F.  B.  Searcy, 
Joseph  L.  Staggers, 
Andrew  J.  Smith, 
George  C.  Thompson. 
Joseph  B.  Teas, 
Charles  M.  Williams, 
David  F.  White. 


COMPANY  I. 


Joseph  W.  Caldwell,  Captain. 
David  C.  Dinsmore.  Captain. 


Amos  Dilley.  1st  Lieutenant. 
Wm.  H.  Kitterman,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Benj.  W.  Searle, 
Joseph  H.  Springer. 
Benjamin  F.  Crocker, 
Samuel  Walker, 
Samuel  R.  Hoyne. 
Hiel  A.  Travis, 
William  B.  Brim. 
Wrm.  Rake, 
Thomas  P.  Moore. 
Samuel  Street, 
Thomas  J.  Myers. 
Robert  L.  Donnell. 
Mathew  Hawk, 
Hiram  Holler, 
Wm.  Davis, 
Andrew  J.  Chapman. 
Wm.  S.  Rentfro. 
Tyrus  Horton, 
Moses  Miller, 
Hosea  F.  Lotspiech. 
David  C.  Bottdorf. 
Edward  F.  Parish, 
Ross  B.  Stevens, 
Alexander  H.  Barnett, 
John  M.  Macklin. 
Wm.  T.  Leach. 


Noah  W.  Briles. 
John  M.  Boster, 
Theodore  Y.  Creamer, 
Milton  S.  Clark, 
Thomas  Clark. 
William  Clark, 
Edwin  M.  Church, 
Samuel  H.  Donnell. 
George  W.  Dalton. 
John  A.  Davis, 
Thomas  G.  Davis, 
Alfred  J.  Gillespie. 
Leander  N.  Godfrey. 
James  I.  Hampton. 
Ezra  Hawk. 
Washington  Hawk, 
Jackson  Hendrickson. 
James  W.  Jacobs, 
Andrew  J.  Johnson, 
C.  Johnson. 
James  Kelly. 
Samuel  M.  Lindsey. 
John  A.  Landis, 
Harrison  C.  Lynn. 
John  J.  Leach. 
Melvin  I.  Williams, 


Charles  H.  McFarling. 
Wm.  A.  Malonee. 
James  McGuire, 
Thomas  T.  Myers. 
Wm.  N.  Monroe, 
George  W.  Priest. 
Wilber  N.  Ping, 
Zephaniah  Powell, 
Alonzo  Parish. 
Wm.  Petree, 
Anson  B.  Phelps. 
George  Wr.  Rousel, 
Martin  Raser, 
Dexter  Stevens, 
John  Shreeve, 
Wm.  J.  Smock, 
Lewis  Smith, 
Samuel  T.  Sisson. 
George  W.  Sylveste 
Thomas  Y.  Smith, 
Jasper  M.  Thompson. 
Cornelius   Thompson. 
Henry  C.  Uhler, 
Henry  T.  Wilson. 
Nelson  Williams. 
John  A.  Young. 


m,  ^ 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTEK  MUSTEK. 


John  L.  Bauder. 
Wm.  K.  Bottorff. 
Gottlieb  Bollin. 
Robert  P.  Caldwell. 
Albert  Curtis, 
Francis  Daly, 
John  A.  Donnell. 
Oliver  H.  Donnell. 
John  W.  Madison. 
50 


Jonathan  E.  Dodge. 
George  W.  Dickens, 
Daniel  A.  Elliott, 
Henry  T.  Edwards. 
Wm.  D.  Earle, 
Thomas  Ferrell. 
Elijah  A.  Godfrey, 
Joseph  C.  Harris, 
Robert  T.  Newell. 


Henry  C.  Horton. 
Andrew  Hawk. 
Stephen  Hook, 
Cornelius  S.  Johnson. 
John  H.  Jobe, 
Ephraim  P.  Jobe. 
Edwin  Lake. 
Wm.  D.  Mallonee. 
WTm.  E.  Street, 


394 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


Wm.  McAuley, 
Samuel  T.  McCune, 
Samuel  J.  McCauley, 


James  H.  Phelps, 
Peru.  J.  B.  Ping, 
Wm.  Rufee, 


Ed.  C.  Thompson. 
Wm.  W.  Williams. 
Wm.  Van  Hoosen. 


COMPANY  K. 

Robert  L.  Freeman,  Captain.  Thomas  H.  Barnes,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Albert  L.  Freeman,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Hiram  H.  Sowles. 
Wm.  H.  Muzzy, 
John  L.  Paxson, 
Charles  Dubois. 
James  H.  Lyon. 
Joel  Smith, 
Chas.  F.  Keeler, 
Geo.  E.  Dayton. 
James  Russell. 
Oscar  Moore, 
Peter  Claussen. 
Seth  Martin, 
John  Fitzsimmons. 
Warren  B.  Herriman. 
George  S.  Scott, 
Wm.  H.  Tinkham. 
Albert  R.  Field. 
John  F.  Baker. 
Solomon  Goodrich. 
Wm.  H.  Kelley, 
Lewis  Keene. 
Joseph  Stone, 
Samuel  Wright, 
Charles  Carrier. 
Melvin  E.  Mann. 
James .  C"  Chambers. 
James  Phelan. 
(ieo.  H.  McClaskey. 
Edward  Harmon. 
Samuel  Stillions. 

Charles  Anderson. 
John  A.  Bailey, 
Charles  G.  Carpenter. 
Ebenezer  E.  Collins, 
Daniel  D.  Cheadle. 
Palmer  Dobson. 
Barren  Edwards. 
Benj.  A.  Fay, 
Robert  E.  Granger. 
Morris  Granger. 
John  L.  Gardner. 
Thomas  Hartin.  * 

COMPANY  L. 

Herman  H.  Heath.  Captain.  David  C.  Mclntyre.  1st  Lieutenant. 

James  M.  Simeral.  2d  Lieutenant. 


Allison  Adams, 
John  F.  Arnold, 
Charles  Atwood, 
David  A.  Allsbaugh. 
Loyal  E.  Ballou, 
Wm.  P.  Bowers, 
Benton  Bowman. 
Andris  Brant, 
Richard  W.  Brown. 
Moses  A.  Bollman, 
James  Bolton, 
John  Borden, 
Christian  F.  Beyer, 
Edward  G.  Bricker, 
Michael  Casey, 
James  Chambers, 
Abner  J.  Case, 
Oscar  Crumb. 
Walter  W.  Carpenter, 
Peter  Chambers. 
John  B.  Christ. 
Henry  Clark, 
Erdix  S.  Eastman. 
Albert  H.  Fairchilds, 
Alexander  Graham, 
Charles  A.  Granger. 
John  Gaytas. 
Archibald  Green, 
Samuel  Wright. 


Wm.  Q.  Howorth, 
John  L.  Howorth, 
Samuel  Jameson. 
John  G.  Kidder, 
Jason  W.  Kinsley. 
Albert  R.  Lyon, 
Alexander  McClaskey 
David  M.  Minert, 
James  R.  McGeorge. 
Archibald  McArthur. 
Erastus   Morgan. 
Vincent  Orcutt, 
Daniel  C.  Oswauld. 
Oscar  Powers, 
Charles  T.  Prescott, 
John  L.  Paxson. 
John  S.  Post, 
Samuel  Stephenson. 
Wm.  E.  Saucer. 
Allen  Sharp, 
John  W.  Sylvester, 
Edward  Sliter, 
John  Sheeley, 
James  Shipper, 
George  Weikel. 
Harrison  Wolf. 
Wm.  H.  Walker. 
James  Wood, 
James  Whitford. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTER. 


Samuel  Harris. 
Edwin  W.  Hurlbut, 
Henry  M.  Jones, 
David   P.  Jennings. 
George  W.  Kelley. 
Anthony  Kelley. 
George  Lewis. 
Alexander  Meadows. 
Francis  McMullin. 
George  Oathout. 
Frank  Pease. 


Orrin  A.  Phillips. 
Benj.  B.  Rathburne. 
Lewis  Reid, 
George  W.  Smith. 
John  M.  Truman. 
Orson  Trowbridge. 
Thomas  J.  Tupper. 
Lewis  Virden. 
Francis  Watson. 
Joseph  Warner. 
Alfred  Wells. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


395 


Henry  B.  Quick, 
Warren  Y.  Reeves, 
Hiram  A.  Park, 
John  Rodgers, 
James  V.  Brown, 
John  L.  Anderson, 
Horace  J.  Leonard. 
James  M.  Kerr, 
Hubbard  A.  O.  Blacken, 
Charles  E.  Miller. 
John  M.  Enochs. 
John  B.  Aiken. 
Nicholas  Morris. 
Denis  Funcheon. 
Frederick  Hazleton. 
Herbert  L.  Mills. 
William  C.  Bell. 
William  Slade,     • 
Christian  F.  Beyer, 
William  McGinley, 
Daniel  C.  McKillip. 
Ernest  Hall, 
Thompson  F.  Blair, 
John  H.  Davis, 
Reuben  Barnes. 
Frederick  E.  Weik. 
William  J.  Bowman. 
Joseph  McClay, 
Thomas  Schadt. 
Hilon  H.  Mead. 
Herman  Bray, 
Lorenzo  Martin. 
Thomas  McEl worth. 


Alexander  Barnes, 
Franklin  Burnett, 
John  Bochrolein, 
Martin  8.  Cisco. 
James  A.  Cisco, 
Charles  A.  Chase. 
George  H.  Davis, 
John  B.  P.  Dodd, 
Andrew  Doosher, 
Chas.  H.  Edgecomb. 
Wm.  W.  Foot, 
Edgar  P.  Mills. 


Albert  C.  Alford, 
James  P.  Ayrault, 
Caleb  C.  Botwood. 
August  Brulot, 
William  Barnard, 
Milton  Brown, 
James  V.  Brown, 
Stephen  P.  Carnahan, 
Joseph  Casinet, 
Michael  J.  Driscall. 
Garrett  Dodd, 
Collins  G.  Esson, 
Charles  D.  Esson, 
James  Fitzpatrick. 
Peter  Ginden, 
Wm.  S.  Guthrie, 
Wm.  H.  Gunn, 
George  Hellman. 
Sylvester  Hall, 
George  Harrington, 
Raphael  G.  Hall, 
Wm.  H.  Hendebruck. 
William  Jenkins. 
Martin  Jour  dan. 
Stephen  Keyes. 
Louis  La  France, 
Stephen  Lawyer. 
Charles  McMyer. 
Andrew  Miller, 
Wm.  Martin. 
Zebulon  Morris. 
Nicholas  Morris, 
Warren  Y.  Merchant. 


Hardin  W.  Nowlin, 
James  T.  Nowlin. 
Stephen  H.  Pierce, 
Nicholas  Portz, 
John  Portz. 
John  L.  Quick, 
John  S.  Rogers. 
John  T.  Rodgers, 
Alanson  C.  Robinson, 
James  E.  Rice, 
James  J.  Reed, 
Jon.b  Somers, 
Adolph  Sommers, 
James  Sprague, 
Chas.  Stewart,  ' 
Clark  I.  Sherwood. 
Ira  C.  Scott, 
Mathew  H.  Scott, 
John  Shuster, 
Samuel  H.  Sherman. 
Levi  Shultz, 
Samuel  Tate, 
George  P.  Turner, 
Wm.  Taylor, 
Francis  Tienan, 
Joseph  Tienan, 
George  Venn. 
John  Wenger. 
Jonathan  White. 
Peter  Walter. 
John  Wise, 
John  W.  Wrall, 
John  Wilcox. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTEK. 


David  Jack, 
Edward  R.  Jones. 
Otto  Anton  Laurie, 
Harrison  F.  Lambkin. 
Gottleib  Lange. 
Martin  Lillie, 
Martin  Lorenzo, 
George  Lewis, 
George  W.  Heath. 
Daniel  W.  Mason. 
L.  B.  Manwaring, 
Thomas  Flemming. 


Milton  Lillie, 
James  Noble. 
Henry  C.  Potter, 
Geo.  L.  Richardson. 
Clark  M.  Slade. 
Thomas  Sahadt, 
Joshua  Seward, 
John  W.  Sylvester, 
Pliny  H.  Tucker, 
Abraham  Wraldron. 
Frederick  C.  Werk. 
Nat.  W.  Weliver. 


COMPANY  M. 

Wm.  H.  Ankeny,  Captain.  James  Crissy,  1st  Lieutenant. 

James  P.  Crosby,  Captain.  Edward  A.  Dunham,  1st  Lieut. 

Solomon  Townsend,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Charles  A.  Case, 
George  McDowall. 


Wm.  H.  Mathew  s, 
Noah  Boon. 


Marquis  D.  Lillie. 
Henry  Landschooft. 


396 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


Alanson  D.  Gaston, 
Alanson  H.  Darwin, 
Charles  E.  Cook, 
Daniel  M.  Shureman. 
("lark  Hodges, 
John  M.  Hoops. 
Edward  Ware, 
George  W.  Rice, 
George  T.  Nettle, 
W.  I.  Walling, 
Peter  Barr, 
Patrick  H.  Burke, 
Theodore  Nissen. 
Henrich  Klappin. 
William  H.  Todd. 
Josiah  Gorham. 
Wm.  N.  Pendleton. 
Ward  W.  Hills, 
William  O.  Gulick. 
Joseph  Moody, 
Daniel  Dean, 
Edward  P.  Iden. 
DeWitt  C.  Brownson. 
Nathan  W.  Ballard, 
Thomas  E.  Francis. 
Nathan  Gordon. 


Noble  H.  Brown. 
Henry  Bennett, 
Joseph  Boyd, 
Loyal  A.  Baxter. 
Missell  Ballard, 
David  Carr, 
Horace  C.  Cure, 
Jerome  L.  Church. 
Lewis  E.  Dean, 
Hans  E.  Diriks, 
Wm.  H.  Davidson, 
James  Decker, 
Patrick  Duffy, 
John  C.  Einwechter. 
Joseph  Fohn, 
Thomas  George, 
Josiah  Gorham, 
Paschal  Gardner, 
Charles  Hibber. 
Hiram  Hill, 
Wm.  W.  Hathaway. 
Reuben  Hubbell. 
Mar-tin  Jordan, 
Samuel  A.  Johnson, 
Richard  M.  Johnson. 
Sylvester  K.  Lake, 


Joseph  McClay, 
John  McDonald, 
Jacob  McDonald, 
James  McCormick, 
Marshall  McKnight. 
Richard  E.  Miner, 
Charles  J.  Osgood, 
William  C.  Potts, 
Washington  H.  Rigby, 
Elisha  A.  Roland, 
James  F.  Randolph. 
Henry  K.  Robinson. 
Joseph  Stamper. 
George  Sears, 
John  Stewart, 
Richard  Smith, 
George  Thompson, 
Fritz  Thode, 
John  Tietjens, 
Alfred  C.  Taylor, 
John  S.  Vosburgh. 
Josepth  Wirth. 
Frederick  R.  Wilkes. 
Louis  Warren, 
Christian  W.  Wilson. 
William  S.  Young. 


ENLISTMENTS  AFTER  MUSTEK. 


Charles  Barrows. 
James  F.  Bunce. 
Samuel  B.  Cory. 
Wm.  H.  Cavender, 
James  Clark, 
Wm.  G.  Cummings. 
Milo  D.  Crawford, 
Christopher  Deitman. 
Miron  Dean. 
John  Douglas, 
Francis  A.  Dory. 
Thomas  Gammel. 
W.  B.  Goodall. 


Melville  Green. 
Thomas  C.  Elce. 
Nelson  P.  Hill, 
Nicholas  Hoist. 
W.  H.  Hunting. 
John  T.  Husband, 
Martin  T.  Hesler, 
Ed.  B.  Hines, 
Jeremiah  Kilmer, 
John  W.  Makinson. 
Eugene  T.  Mullen. 
Abraham  Murray, 
George  McClintock. 


George  A.  Nelson, 
George  Pennington, 
Henry  Roberts, 
Hans  Rohwedder, 
John   B.  Stocking, 
Duncan  T.  Stocking. 
Jacob  Stephen  son. 
Henry  J.  Stoops, 
George  W.  Stoops. 
Jerry  Tietzgen, 
Wm.  H.  Todd, 
Jacob  V.  Van  Neys. 
Jurgen  Willis. 


ADDITIONAL  ENLISTMENTS. 


Moses  H.  Amend. 
Robert  B.  Baker. 
N.  W.  Barr. 
Sylvanus  C.  Bascom. 
Levi  Hendricks, 
H.  H.  Hutchins, 
Joseph  Jackson, 
Benjamin  F.  Leach. 
John  Leacy. 


UNASSIGNED. 

Aaron  Babcock. 
John  Cooper, 
Warren  H.  Chase. 
Ephraim  J.  Davis, 
Benj.  T.  Monroe. 
John  B.  McClelland. 
Jerod  C.  Palmer. 
Wm.  H.  Reily, 
Robert  Rundell. 


James  Flanagan. 
Wm.  W.  Golcher. 
Wm.  H.  Grater, 
Albert  Greeley, 
George   Remmington, 
Americus  C.  Smith. 
R.  A.  Williams. 
John  A.  Wallace. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


397 


1863. 
FIELD  AND  STAFF. 


Daniel  Anderson,  Colonel. 
Jos.  W.  Caldwell,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Levi  Chase,  Major. 
William  Thompson,  Major. 
Alexander  G.  McQueen,  Major. 


Milton  B.  Cochran,  Surgeon. 
Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
John  A.  Donnell.  Adjutant. 
Glaus  Henry  Albers,  Quartermaster. 
Henry  L.  Dashiel.  Commissary. 


LINE  OFFICERS. 


Robt.  M.  Reynolds,  Capt.  Co.  A. 
John  R.  Marshall,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A. 
John  L.  Russell,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A. 
Samuel  S.  Burdett,  Capt.  Co.  B. 
Joseph  T.  Foster,  1st  Lt.  Co.  B. 
Wm.  H.  DeFreest,  2d  Lt.  Co.  B. 
Thomas  Jones,  Capt.  Co.  C. 


John  McDermott,  Capt.  Co.  G. 
Elkanah  S.  Foster,  1st  Lt.  Co.  G.' 
Solomon  Smith,  2d  Lt.  Co.  G. 
Wm.  S.  Whisenand,  Capt.  Co.  H. 
A.  U.  McCormick,  1st  Lt.  Co.  H. 
Samuel  T.  Craig,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H. 
David  C.  Dinsmore,  Capt.  Co.  I. 


Mathew  Ronaldson,  1st  Lt.  Co.  C.   Amos  Dilley,  1st  Lieut.  Co.  I. 
William  A.  Clark,  2d  Lt.  Co.  C.       Wm.  H.  Kitterman,  2d  Lt.  Co.  I. 
James  D.  Jenks,  Capt.  Co.  D.  Robt.  L.  Freeman,  Capt.  Co.  K. 

William  H.  Shriver.  1st  Lt.  Co.  D.  Thos.  H.  Barnes,  1st  Lt.  Co.  K. 
George  M.  Walker,  2d  Lt.  Co.  D.     Charles  F.  Keeler,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 
Thomas  A.  Bereman,  Capt.  Co.  E.   David  C.  Mclntyre,  Capt.  Co.  L. 
Silas  R.  Nugen.  1st  Lt.  Co.  E.  James  M.  Simeral,  1st  Lt.  Co.  L. 

Sumner  B.  Marshall,  2d  Lt.  Co.  E.  Warren  G.  Reeves,  2d  Lt.  Co.  L. 
Charles  Dustin,  Capt.  Co.  F.  James  P.  Crosby,  Capt.  Co.  M. 

Jacob  Hursh,  1st  Lt.  Co.  F.  Edward  A.  Dunham,  1st  Lt.  Co.  M. 

Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  2d  Lt.  Co.  F.   Solomon  Townsend.  2d  Lt.  Co.  M. 

ADDITIONAL  ENLISTMENTS. 

COMPANY    A. 

Abraham  Wilson.  Andrew  J.  Wright. 

COMPANY    B. 

William  Casley.  William  H,  Sutton. 

COMPANY    C. 


Callender  Lee, 

Henry  C.  Davis, 
James  M.  Shannon. 

Hiram  Davis, 
Milton  M.  Ford, 
David  Gregory, 


Charles  Bessey, 
R.  W.  Bodell. 


James  Ayers, 
Harry  S.  Bradfield, 
Wm.  H.  Baker, 
Stephen  Burke, 


Charles  M.  Martin. 

COMPANY    D. 

William  Lewis, 

COMPANY    E. 

O.  C.  Limbocber, 
John  R.  Martin, 
Henry  C.  Pike, 

COMPANY    F. 

John  Cooper, 

COMPANY    G. 

Jonathan  Penn, 
Charles  Penn, 
George  Phillips, 
Charles  R.  Paris, 


Renssalaer  Metcalf. 


Thomas  E.  Patterson, 
J.  H.  Rhodes. 


William  Ramsey. 


Wm.  O.  Sales, 
Willis  Smith, 
Joseph  Sharer, 
Thomas  J.  Vest. 


398 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


John  Bessey. 
Daniel  H.  Doau, 
W.  K.  Eggleston, 
R.  M.  Higginbotham, 
Wm.  J.  McCall, 

George  Reynolds. 

Wilson  K.  Bottorff. 
John  S.  Braden. 

Henry  Colley, 
John  Crawford. 
George  W.  Ehlers. 
Edward  Hyde, 
William  Logan. 

Amos  Andrews, 
Caleb  Burns. 
Andrew  Brownson. 
Hiram  G.  Balckan. 
James  Davis, 
Peter  Gifford, 
Spencer  Holmes. 
Ben.  H.  Hall, 
Silas  E.  Hennegan. 
Ralph  Hennegan. 

A.  1).  Allen, 
John  Brown. 
Augustus  Bittner, 
Herbert  L.  Barry, 
Rafus  Bunce, 
Henry  N.  Cummings, 
Lander  Folletts, 
William  Her. 

Charles  L.  Averill. 


Loren  T.  Bush, 
Henry  P.  Brooks. 
Jerome  Carpenter, 
John  H.  Clark. 
Charles  Chickering. 
Charles  H.  Corey. 
Wm.  S.  Cutler, 
J.  W.  Chamberlin. 
John  Campbell. 
Whitman  Corey. 
Jonathan  Corey. 
Noah  Cramer, 


Josiah  Platt, 
Wm.  H.  Rumburgh. 
John  B.  Roberts, 
Samuel  W.  Ross, 
George  W.  Speers, 

COMPANY    H. 
COMPANY    I. 

Joseph  C.  Harris, 
Wm.  E.  Street, 

COMPANY    K. 

Cornelius  L.  Miller. 
Foster  Nilson, 
John  Peeper, 
John  Plain, 
Jacob  Riter. 

COMPANY    L. 

Henry  Hapsey, 
Simon  W.  Hardin. 
David  H.  King. 
Francis  Lawrence, 
Samuel  H.  Messenger, 
Warren  L.  Mallory, 
Wm.  Miller, 
Geo.  M.  Winkley, 
Geo.  W.  Nellis. 

COMPANY    M. 

Otis  F.  Johnson. 
Thompson  Lewis. 
David  Asher  Ladd, 
John  J.  Miller, 
Arthur  G.  Merriman. 
Joseph  L.  McCann, 
Thomas  W.  Melody. 

COMPANIES    UNKNOWN. 

Alvan  C.  Blood. 

UNASSIGNED. 

Calvin  L.  Dutcher, 
Edward  P.  Douglass. 
Philip  Dailey. 
James  E.  Elliott. 
Royal  P.  Faris, 
John  B.  Foster. 
Samuel  Fry, 
James  Fodge, 
Henry  Gray  son. 
Alvah  Granthon. 
James  Gorham, 
Green  WT.  Gable, 


Sylvester  P.  Willis, 
Geo.  W.  Wheeler, 
James  Wright, 
Robert  I.  Young. 


Edw.  C.  Thompson, 
William  W.  Williams. 


George  Robinson, 
Charles  Roenish, 
L.  Schaninghausen, 
Wm.  Servose, 
Orville  B.  Tiffany. 

Chas.  G.  Newell, 
Wm.  H.  Ramsey, 
David  Swartzell, 
Ernst  Seidel, 
James  F.  Washburn. 
James  A.  Wralton, 
Albert  E.  (A.)  Watson. 
Wm.  I.  Washburn, 
Wm.  T.  Wallace. 


Solomon  Rufe, 
Asa  W.  Rose, 
Henry  Samuels, 
Martin  Stebbins. 
Franklin  Strickland, 
Hiram  M.  Thurston, 
Charles  M.  Wheelock. 


Rudolph  Hoffman, 
Joseph  L.  Hall, 
Nelson  Holding, 
Joseph  C.  Hewitt, 
George  W.  Hardin, 
Ellis  Hiatt, 
Samuel  H.  Howe, 
Daniel  H.  Hughes, 
John  Henkle, 
James  K.  Hotchkiss. 
Samuel  C.  Hines. 
Henry  L.  Hopkins, 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


399 


Doddridge  W.  Cook, 
Thomas  Clark, 
James  Davidson, 
Marion  John, 
Charles  Johnson. 
W.  Klingaman, 
George  H.  Kingsbury, 
James  B.  Kempton, 
George  W.  Kempton, 
Seth  T.  Kempton. 
Peter  Knowlen, 
C.  H.  Leffingwell. 
Anderson  Lister, 
John  A.  Long. 
John  H.  Lea, 
Charles  McKibbon. 
Jacob  H.  Munson, 
Tobias  May, 
Henry  Mitchell. 
Charles  G.  P.  Myers. 
Edward  H.  Messenger, 
John  C.  Murphy. 
John  W.  Morris. 
James  E.  McCalvan, 
Martin  C.  Morris, 
John  L.  McClelland. 


Win.  H.  Gardner, 
Edward  Howard, 
Benjamin  Huestiss, 
Alphonso  W.  Myers, 
James  McAlavey, 
Alvin  S.  Murray, 
William  McGuire, 
Benjamin  F.  Martin. 
George  W.  McCoy. 
Marcus  J.  Pennock. 
Solomon  E.  Peak, 
Amos  Prindle, 
Malachi  Perry, 
John  M.  Pitzer, 
Franklin  Prentice, 
Elijah  J.  Preston. 
Newell  P.  Quimby, 
Charles  W.  Roberts. 
John  R.  Ross, 
George  W.  Royster. 
John  A.  Roberts, 
Benjamin  Roberts, 
Perry  Roberts, 
Ira  J.  Robertson. 
Leonard  W.  Rhoades. 
Simeon  Strong. 


Morton  Hayes, 
John  H.  Jurney, 
Thomas  Jones, 
Wm.  F.  Stewart, 
Henry  C.  Stewart, 
Martin  V.  Sherrard. 
Nicholas  Swingle. 
Joseph  Stenger, 
John  D.  Sunderland, 
Wm.  H.  Stewart, 
James  H.  Stewart, 
Newton  Sanders, 
David  Sherrard, 
Willis  C.  Smith. 
Wm.  G.  Tate, 
Arthur  B.  Thomas, 
John  C.  Tiffany. 
John  Upton, 
Wm.  W.  Wright, 
Fletcher  J.  Walker, 
George  H.  Watson, 
Owen  Wilkins, 
Ishmael  Wilson. 
James  Wining, 
P>an  W.  Williams. 


VETERAN   RE-ENLISTMENTS. 

1864. 

COMPANY  A. 

Robert  M.  Reynolds,  Captain.  John  R.  Marshall,  1st  Lieutenant. 


John  L.  Russell,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Alexander  P.  Boyce, 
James  P.  Turner, 
Joseph  C.  McCandless, 
Thomas  J.  O'Bleness, 
Henry  L.  Morrill, 
John  L.  Russell. 
Thomas  Reynolds. 
John  Wright, 
John  Smith, 
George  Reafia. 
Harvey  Adair, 
Benjamin  Blair, 
William  W.  Blair. 
William  O.  Burns. 
David  Conley, 
Wrilliam  H.  Carey, 


Owen  P.  Gore, 
Williamson  H.  Fortune, 
John  A.  Herwick, 
Henry  L.  Hoagland. 
Thomas  S.  James. 
William  Linn, 
Charles  H.  Lyons, 
Michael  Malone. 
James  McCutcheon, 
George  McKee, 
George  R.  Miller, 
Charles  E.  Moss, 
Nelse  P.  Nelson, 
Andrew  O'Bleness, 
Eli  R.  Oiler, 
Alexander  Osborn, 


Samuel  Pore. 
William  Pore, 
Elmore  Reed, 
Daniel  Riebold, 
Anglos  F.  Sala, 
Orlando   P.  Sala. 
William  Scheyli. 
James  Scott, 
Moses  C.  Short, 
James  Smith, 
Harrison  T.  Wilson, 
Andrew  J.  Wilson, 
Abraham  Wilson, 
George  W.  Welchymer 
Andrew  J.  Wright. 
William  Wyatt. 


±00 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


Samuel  S.  Burdett  Captain. 


COMPANY  B. 

Joseph  T 


Henry  P.  Sniffer, 
Hiram  S.  Heberling, 
John  K.  McKeen, 
George  D.  Allen, 
George  V.  A  very, 
Nicholas  Adams. 
Philip  H.  Bray, 
Samuel  Barr, 
David  S.  Bullock, 
George  R.  Carney, 
Orrin  B.  Crane, 


Marcus  M.  Chatfield, 
John  M.  Chase, 
Michael  Cunningham. 
John  A.  Ditch, 
Thomas  Doolin, 
William  H.  Durling, 
George  W.  Dilley, 
Lyman  H.  Evans, 
Win.  W.  Gardner. 
Isaac  Gulick, 
Henry  L.  Grover, 


Foster,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Wm.  H.  Garland. 
Reason  B.  Hedden, 
William  H.  Hughson, 
James  Lister, 
Job  G.  Morton, 
Squire  L.  Monroe, 
Peter  W.  McDonald, 
George  Readfern, 
George  Rouse, 
Ezra  I.  Smith, 
Oscar  G.  Williams. 


COMPANY  C. 

Thomas  Jones,  Captain.  Mathew  Ronaldson,  1st  Lieutenant. 

William  A.  Clark,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Thomas  R.  Perry. 
Edward  L.  Stone, 
Clinton  M.  Turner, 
Frederick  Oren  Lane. 
Paul  Hendricks, 
Martin  M.  Moore. 
George  VanBeek, 
Michael  Seyle, 
Thomas  Hutchinson. 
Curtis  M.  Copp. 
William  P.  Allen, 
Malcomb  S.  Andrews. 
John  L.  Baltzer, 
Michael  Boyer, 


Wm.  L.  Brown, 
Alexander  C.  Brice. 
George  H.  Carey, 
James  Corkwell. 
Joseph  Clothier, 
Harvey  J.  Clingenpeel. 
George  Delfelter, 
Henry  J.  Depperman. 
Wm.  A.  Gardner. 
Henry  Gearhart. 
John  L.  Hill, 
Wm.  H.  Hendricks. 
Rolla  Kimball, 
John  W.  Kerchner. 

COMPANY  D. 


Nicholas  LaCosta, 
Charles  F.  Madera, 
Michael  McCrary, 
William  Morgan, 
Richard  F.  Morgan. 
Charles  H.  Rankin. 
John  Russell, 
Granville  L.  Stockman. 
Wm.  B.  Smith, 
Winfield  S.  Steele. 
James  G.  Unger, 
George  L.  Whitmarsh. 
Samuel  E.  Welch. 


James  D.  Jenks,  Captain.  William  R.  Shriver,  1st  Lieutenant. 

George  M.  Walker,  2d  Lieutenant. 


James  G.  Rutter, 
Abraham  J.  Reeves. 
Willet  Carpenter, 
John  Barlow, 
Thomas  Black, 
David  W.  Burnett. 
Edward  Brown, 
Samuel  W.  Conrad. 
John  M.  Creswell, 
Cornelius  Decker. 
Joseph  Dyke, 
John  C.  Delbridge. 
Abel  Graham. 
William  G.  Graham. 


John  C.  Hammon, 
Jacob  Harsh, 
James  Howery, 
Peter  Hill, 
Albert  Hutchinson. 
Henry  C.  Jeffries, 
Benj.  R.  Johnson, 
Milton  R.  Judkins. 
John  V.  Judkins, 
Jonathan  Judkins. 
DeWitt  C.  Kelly, 
Roswell  C.  Kelly. 
Bayles  E.  Lake. 
Charles  Lewis, 


William  O.  Ludlow, 
Hiram  T.  Metcalf. 
William  H.  Magill, 
Samuel   B.  Palmer. 
William  B.  Ramsey, 
James  B.  Rabbitt, 
Joseph  K.  Reynolds. 
Jackson  C.  Smith. 
Jesse  Slough, 
Alanson  W.  Sager. 
Matthias  B.  Shaver, 
John  H.  Williams, 
William  F.  Whitmarsh. 


COMPANY  E. 

Thomas  A.  Bereman,  Captain.  Silas  R.  Nugen,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Sumner  B.  Marshall,  2d  Lieutenant. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


401 


William  A.  Coulter, 
John  T.  North, 
Alexander  F.  Wildasin, 
Christian  KaulTman. 
Joseph  H.  Arnold, 
Josiah  Lees, 
Robert  Baxter, 
Isaac  N.  Hall. 
George  Ruel, 
Theodore  Bigler, 
Francis  B.  Beam. 
Francis  M.  Buck. 
John  W.  Baker, 
Alexander  Brown, 
Clement  M.  Bird. 


Carlisle  Canterbury. 
Alvin  B.  Chatterton, 
James  A.  Campbell. 
Nathan  J.  Chilcott. 
William  Cratty, 
Walter  R.  Craig. 
Amasa  Daily, 
John  E.  Frank, 
Eugene  W.  Hall. 
Henry  H.  Hess. 
George  W.  Hill, 
Aurelius  W.  Hoffman, 
Charles  WT.  Howard. 
George  E.  Ives. 
Josiah  James. 

( COMPANY  F. 


Charles  Jobes, 
Jeremiah  Kitchen, 
Orlando  I).  Kincaid, 
Cyrus  L.  Kincaid, 
Gad  Lyman, 
John  McCormick, 
Joseph  Masden, 
James  Montgomery, 
William  B.  Patten, 
Upton  S.  Ramsey, 
Effenger  M.  Stapleton. 
Jonathan  Wilford, 
Fletcher  M.  Welpton. 
Elijah  H.  Bartlett. 


Charles  Dustin.  Captain.  Jacob  Hursh,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  2d  Lieutenant. 


James  C.  Huskins, 
Peter  B.  Greaves, 
James  E.  Wilson, 
Enos  H.  Wilson, 
Richard  L.  Hoxie. 
Thomas  J.  Browner. 
Thomas  M.  Hart. 
William  F.  Tatman, 
Balthazar  Bellinger. 
Daniel  D.  Boyd. 
John  Bolton. 
John  Corlett, 
John  Cooper. 


James  L.  Calvert. 
Warren  H.  Clark. 
Loren  E.  Craig, 
Elisha  Gray, 
Enoch  A.  Goodwin. 
Henry  P.  Jones, 
Marx  Klein. 
Thomas  S.  Kendall, 
William  P.  McClure, 
George  McClure. 
Charles  McCoy. 
James  L.  Mathews. 
Corydon  L.  Nourse. 


John  Hamilton, 
Alonzo  Owen, 
Bryan  O'Connor, 
Thomas  W.  Priddy, 
Bernard  C.  Reiley. 
George  W.  Reiley, 
Thomas  J.  Reed, 
John  J.  Sanders, 
Cleophaus  Smelcer 
Marquis  G.  Troup. 
Alpheus  Titus. 
Josiah  Wilson. 
John   D.  Wilson. 


COMPANY  G. 
John  McDermott,  Captain.  Elkanah  S.  Foster.  1st  Lieutenant. 


Solomon  Smith.  2d  Lieutenant. 


William  W.  Babcock. 
Jeremiah  Bivins, 
Edward  P.  Bronson. 
Levi  Cassleman. 
Edw.  L.  Clinkenbeard. 
Daniel  R.  Cobb, 
George  H.  Dubois, 
George  Detrick, 
George  Ellsworth, 


James  Hervey, 
Albert  WT.  Hosford. 
Wrilliam  D.  Johnson. 
Ernest  Klingenberg. 
Coe  Leteer, 
Ari  Morgan, 
John  Murphy, 
Cornelius  Pocock. 
Samuel  A.  Rice. 


Louis  Sherer. 
'Charles  M.  Simmons. 
David  W.  Scott, 
Wingate  W.  Timmins, 
John  Vest. 
Eli  Warring, 
Jerome  B.  Wentworth. 
John  Wrheeler. 


COMPANY  H. 

William  S.  Whisenand,  Captain.       Albert  U.  McCormick,  1st  Lieut. 
Samuel  W.  Craig,  2d  Lieutenant. 


David  K.  Webster, 
George  M.  Mark. 
John  S.  Birkhead. 
James  H.  Cowan. 
51 


James  Craig, 
David  Carnes. 
Thomas  H.  Dull, 
Chilon  Dickson. 


Thomas  A.  Matson, 
Thomas  T.  Maxwell. 
James  A.  Mark, 
Nelson  H.  Maydole, 


402 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


Walter  S.  Handley. 
John  Hampton, 
Harlow  G.  Bates, 
Henry  Wood, 
Sterling  S.  Bates, 
William  H.  Adams. 
James  C.  Allen, 
Joseph  L.  Bates. 
Abram  H.  Babb, 
Francis  P.  Birkhall. 
Franklin  Burdan, 
Lawson  B.  Carlton, 
Nathan   B.  Carroll. 
William  H.  Cowan. 


Daniel  M.  Elder. 
Daniel  H.  Ferman, 
Levi  R.  Frenier. 
Thomas  C.  Grey, 
Vincent.  M.  Quinn, 
Isaac  Hartsuck, 
Ozro  Harrington. 
Charles  H.  Holmes, 
Albert  T.  Hart. 
Henry  H.  Jefferson. 
Richard  L.  Knight, 
Sylvanus  M.  Kester, 
William  H.  Kendall. 
David  C.  Ken  worthy. 


Clifford  W.  Mason, 
Dyas  Neill, 

Frederick  H.  Purinton. 
Abram  Remson, 
Andrew  J.  Smith, 
John  M.  Snook, 
Martin  W.  Sullivan. 
Joseph  Stagers, 
John  F.  B.  Searcy. 
Leuman  W.  Story, 
Robert  Sinclair, 
Joseph  B.  Teas, 
George  C.  Thompson. 
David  F.  White. 


COMPANY  I. 

David  C.  Dinsmore,  Captain.  Amos  Dilley,  1st  Lieutenant. 

William  H.  Kitterman,  2d  Lieutenant. 


Joseph  H.  Springer. 
Moses  Miller, 
Noah  W.  Briles, 
Gottleib  Bollen, 
David  C.  Bottorff. 
Wilson  K.  Bottorf. 
John  M.  Boster, 
Andrew   I.  Chapman. 
Edwin  M.  Church. 
William  Clark, 
Milton  S.  Clark. 
Theodore  J.  Creamer. 
Albert  Curtis, 
John  A.  Davis. 

COMPANY  K. 

Robert  L.  Freeman,  Captain.  Thomas  H.  Barnes,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Charles  F.  Keeler,  2d  Lieutenant. 


George  W.  Dickens, 
Jonathan  E.  Dodge. 
Geore  W.  Dalton. 
Danie]  A.  Elliott. 
William  D.  Earl, 
Leander  N.  Godfrey. 
Andrew  Hawk, 
Washington  Hawk, 
Jackson   Hendrickson, 
Absalom  Hollingsworth 
Andrew  J.  Johnson. 
Cornelius  S.  Johnston, 
Harris  C.  Lynn, 


Samuel  M.  Lindsey, 
John  M.  Macklin. 
Samuel  T.  McCune. 
Charles  H.  McFarling, 
Robert  T.  Newell. 
Alonzo  Parrish. 
Anson  B.  Phelps. 
John  S.  Shreeve, 
Samuel  T.  Sisson, 
William  E.  Street. 
Jasper  N.  Thompson. 
Henry  C.  Uhler, 
William  Vanhoosen. 


James  M.  Russell, 
Charles  Duboise. 
Walter  W.  Carpenter. 
Peter  Clausen, 
Peter  Chambers. 
Stephen  Harris, 
Edward  Harmon, 
John  L.  Gardner. 
Benjamin  A.  Fay. 
George  W.  Kelly. 
Charles  P.  Atwood. 
William  P.  Bowers. 
Benton   Bowman. 
Edwin  G.  Bricker. 
John  Berden, 
John  A.  Bailey, 
Abner  J.  Case. 


Charles  G.  Carpenter, 
Balmer  Dobson. 
Barron  Edwards, 
Albert  H.  Fairchilds. 
Morris  Granger. 
Archibald  Green. 
John  Graydas, 
John  L.  Howarth. 
Thomas  Hartin. 
Samuel  Jamieson. 
Henry  M.  Jones, 
David  P.  Jennings. 
Jason  W.  Kinsley. 
John  G.  Kidder. 
George  Lewis, 
Erastus  Morgan. 
Oscar  Moore. 


George  Oathout. 
Orrin  A.  Phillips, 
Edward  Reynolds. 
Benjamin  Rathburne. 
John  Sheeley, 
Samuel  Stillions. 
Edward   Sliter, 
Allen  Sharp, 
William  H.  Saucer. 
George  W.  Smith. 
John  M.  Truman. 
Lewis  Virden, 
George  Weikel. 
Harrison  Wolf, 
William  H.  Walker. 
Samuel  Wright. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


COMPANY  L. 
David  C.  Mclntyre,  Captain.  James  M.  Simeral,    1st  Lieutenant. 


Warren  Y.  Reeves,  2d  Lieutenant. 


John  M.  Enochs, 
James  V.  Brown. 
Horace  J.  Leonard. 
James  M.  Kerr, 
Charles  E.  Miller, 
William  W.  Slade. 
Herbert  L.  Mills. 
James  T.  Nowlan. 
John  B.  P.  Dodd, 
.James  P.  Ayrault. 
August  Brulot. 
John  Bochrolein. 
Thompson  F.  Blair. 
Joseph  Castanet. 
Charles  A.  Chase. 
Martin  S.  Cisco. 
Nathaniel  Chandler. 
Stephen  P.  Carnahan. 
John  H.  Davis, 
George  H.  Davis. 


Andrew  Doosler, 
Collin  G.  Esson, 
Charles  H.  Edgecomb, 
William  W.  Foote. 
Thomas  Fleming. 
William  H.  Gunn, 
George  Harrington. 
George  Hillman. 
David  Jack, 
William  Jenkins. 
George  W.  Jewett. 
Stephen  K.  Keyes. 
Louis  La  France. 
Gottlieb  Lange. 
Joseph  Moody. 
Lucien  B.  Manwaring. 
Andrew  Miller, 
Zebulon  Maurice. 
Nicholas  Maurice. 

COMPANY  M. 


William  Martin. 
Nicholas  Portz. 
Henry  C.  Potter, 
George  S.  Rogers. 
James  E.  Rice, 
Joshua  Seward, 
Thomas  Schadt. 
Henry  W.  Smith, 
Clark  M.  Slade. 
Ira  C.  Scott, 
Mathew  H.  Scott, 
Joab  Somers, 
William  Smith, 
George  P.  Turner. 
Joseph  Tienan. 
Francis  Tienan, 
Peter  Walter, 
Jonathan  White. 
.John  Wenger. 


James  P.  Crosby.  Captain.  Edward  A.Dunham,  1  st  Lieutenant. 

Solomon  Townsend.  2d   Lieutenant. 


George  McDowall. 
George  T.  Nettle. 
Patrick  E.  Burke. 
Henrich  Klapplin, 
James  M.  Alcorn. 
Henry  Bennett. 
DeWitt  C.  Browneon. 
Noble  H.  Brown. 
Noah   Boon, 
Missel  Ballard. 
James  Clark. 
David  Carr. 
Wm.  G.  Cummings. 
Horace  C.  Cure. 
James  M.  Decker. 
Patrick  Duffy. 
Miron  Dean, 
John  Douglas, 


Francis  A.  Do  ray. 
Thomas  C.  Elce, 
Thomas  E.  Francis. 
Paschal  Gardner. 
Nathan  Gordon. 
Thomas  Gammel, 
Charles  Hibber, 
Nelson  P.  Hill. 
William  H.  Hunting. 
James  Harrod, 
Edwin  H.  Hines, 
Reuben  Hubbell. 
Edward  P.  Iden. 
Martin  Jordan. 
Richard  M.  Johnson. 
Samuel  A.  Johnson. 
Jeremiah  Kilmer. 
Marquis  D.  Lillie. 


John  M.  Makinson. 
George  McClintock. 
Abraham  Murray, 
Robert  B.  McFarland. 
Eugene  I.  Mullen. 
George  Pennington. 
William  C.  Potts. 
George  W.  Rice. 
Joseph  Stamper. 
George  Sears, 
George  Thompson. 
Jacob  Vanney. 
Frederick  C.  Wllkes. 
Edward  Ware. 
Washington  I.  Walling. 
Joseph  Wirth. 
William  S.  Young. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

William  Thompson,  Colonel.  Charles  H.  Lothrop.  Surgeon. 

Alex.  G.  McQueen,  Lieut.  Colonel.   James  Hervey,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
James  D.  Jenks.  Major.  Asa  Morgan,  Asst.  Surgeon. 

John  McDermott,  Major.  William  W.  Fluke,  Quartermaster. 

James  S.  Rand,  Chaplain. 


404 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


LINE  OFFICERS. 


Robt.  M.  Reynolds,  Capt.  Co.  A. 
John   L.  Russell,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A. 
Joseph  T.  Foster,  Capt.  Co.  B. 
Henry  P.  Shifter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  B. 
Hiram  S.  Heberling,  2d  Lt.  Co.  B. 
Thomas  J.  R.  Perry,  1st  Lt.  Co.  C. 
Clinton  M.  Turner.  2d  Lt.  Co.  C. 
Geo.rge  M.  Walker,  Capt.  Co.  D. 
James  G.  Rutter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  D. 
Wm.  B.  Ramsey.  2d  Lt.  Co.  D. 
Thomas  A.  Bereman,  Capt.  Co.  E. 
William  A.  Coulter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  E. 
Christian  Kauffman.  2d  Lt.  Co.  E. 


Charles  Dustin,  Capt.  Co.  F. 
Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Albert  W.  Hosford,  2d  Lt.  Co.  G. 
Wm.  S.  Whisenand,  Capt.  Co.  H. 
Albert  U.  McCormick,  IstLt.  Co.  H. 
Samuel  T.  Craig,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H. 
Amos  Dilley,  1st  Lieut.  Co.  I.  - 
James  M.  Russell,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 
David  C.  Mclntyre,  Capt.  Co.  L. 
James  M.  Simeral,  1st  Lt.  Co.  L. 
John  M.  Enochs,  2d  Lt.  Co.  L. 
Edward  A.  Dunham,  1st  Lt.  Co.  M. 
Solomon  Townsend,  2d  Lt.  Co.  M. 


ADDITIONAL  ENLISTMENTS. 


Elias  J.  Babcock, 
John  J.  Bell, 
Albion  Blood. 
Milton  Copp, 
Oliver  L.  Conn, 
George  W.  Carlton. 

Freeman  Buell. 
Japheth  Ball. 
James  E.  Elliott. 
Philip  H.  Francis. 

John  H.  Brandt. 
Jerome  Carpenter. 
Charles  Checkering. 
John  H.  (lark. 
Doddridge  W.  Cook. 

John  M.  Cresswell. 
Wm.  M.  Sanderson. 

Tighlman  H.  Bereman. 
Samuel  H.  Howe. 


John  W.  Baxter. 
John   H.  Boyd. 

Joseph  M.  Maxwell. 
Virgil  Race. 

Edward  C.  Douglas. 
Joseph  L.  Hall, 
Silas  C.  Hennagin. 
Ralph  Hennagin. 


COMPANY    A. 

Robert  C.  Dwigans, 
Joseph  Dwigans, 
Lucius  Fassett, 
Jerome  Hollenbeck. 
John  C.  Lyon, 
Emery  Mathews, 

COMPANY    B. 

H.  M.  Johnson, 
Washington  McNutt. 
Hiram  H.  Mayne, 
Charles  H.  Leffingwell. 

COMPANY    C. 

Noah  W.  Estep, 
George  W.  Hardin. 
Marion  Johnson, 
Charles  Johnson, 
John  W.  Morris, 

COMPANY    I). 

Joseph  Dyke, 

COMPANY    E. 

Washington  Klingaman.  John  C.  Tiffany. 
John  Potter, 


Charles  L.  Morrill, 
Andrew  Neil. 
Byron  Pettit, 
James  R.  Scroggs. 
Benjamin  Wingrove. 


Henry  Samuels. 
William  G.  Tate. 
George  W.  Wheeler 


Martin  C.  Morris. 
John  C.  Murphy. 
John   D.  Sunderland. 
John  Upton. 


Jacob  Harsh. 


COMPANY    F. 

Ellery  N.  Foster. 

COMPANY    G. 

David  Terwilliger. 

COMPANY    H. 

Thomas  Jones, 
David  H.  King. 
Anderson  Lister. 
West  McDowell. 


James  M.  Merritt. 


George  W.  Walker. 


Peter  Quinn, 
John  P.  Ross. 
.John  Wilson. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


405 


Augustus  Anderson, 
John  Campbell, 
Seth  T.  Kempton. 

Harry  O.  Burger. 
Albert  Burgess. 
Henry  P.  Brooks. 
Melvin   Bonham, 
John  Douglass. 
Daniel  T.  Durbon, 
Geo.  W.  D.  Eastman. 
Royal  P.  Faris, 
Samuel  J.  Fry, 
Dudley  Stroud, 
Benjamin  G.  Stanley. 
Nicholas  Swingle. 


Charles  L.  Barnum. 
Nathaniel  Chandler. 
Daniel  H.  Hughes. 
George  W.  Jewett. 

George  Allen. 
James  M.  Alcorn. 
James  Donahue. 
Lorenzo  Dean. 
Francis  A.  Doray. 
Hira.m  Fay. 

James  E.  Arnold. 
Robert  F.  Armstrong. 
John  M.  Anderson, 
Danl  W.  B.  Anderson, 
Eber  M.  Alford. 
Oliver  B.  Ackerman. 
Harvey  D.  Andrews, 
Lyman  W.  Austin. 
Adolphus  Z.  Brown. 
Hiram  Brown. 
Benjamin  F.  Best. 
Frank  M.  Boxley, 
John  J.  Buffington, 
.Joseph  Brun, 
Victor  Burnham. 
Plympton  Babcock.  . 
Lyman  H.  Brownson. 
Joseph   Benedict. 
James  H.  Brace. 
Charles  Bates. 
Anderson  M.  Benge. 
Thomas  R.  Bickley. 


COMPANY    I. 

George  B.  Kempton. 
James  B.  Kempton, 
Jacob  H.  Munson, 

COMPANY    K. 

Albert  C.  Grantham, 
Hiram  Hackenberg, 
John  W.  Holmes, 
Freedom  J.  Howard. 
Jason  W.  Kinsley. 
George  M.  Joslyn, 
George  K.  Massiker. 
Leonidas  Ogg, 
Malachi  Perry, 
Jesse  B.  Shelhamer, 
Hans  E.  Schoolrud. 
John  Tussack. 

COMPANY    L. 

John  A.  Long, 
James  E.  McCalligan. 
James  McClavey. 

COMPANY    M. 

John  A.  Grundy. 
Eugene  E.  Hannabal, 
Silas  W.  Harris. 
James  Harrad. 
Hiram  Hay  ward. 

UNASSIGNKD. 

John  Blein. 
Andrew  W.  Benn. 
Clinton  M.  Barto. 
John  L.  Bolding. 
Francis  Bias. 
Joseph  F.  Bell. 
William  D.  Boyd. 
Peter  Brown, 
William  N.  Bishop. 
Edgar  W.  Brownson. 
Jesse  M.  Cook, 
Patrick  Caill. 
Wm.  S.  Coushman. 
Charles  Cox, 
James  M.  Calder. 
James  Coakley. 
John  D.  Corbin. 
John  P.  Corbin. 
John  Cook, 
Burson  Clement. 
Jesse  Cooper, 
Ruesell  G.  Curtiss, 


Audrey  J.  McBroom. 
Franklin  Prentiss, 
Simeon  Strong. 

John  Retsel, 
Jonathan  R.  Porter. 
John  Peters, 
Elijah  G.  Preston. 
Charles  E.  Roe. 
Calvin  A.  Robey, 
Charles  W.  Roberts. 
Elias  Reynolds, 
Edward  Reynolds. 
Jesse  Thayer. 
Evan  W.  Williams, 
Walter  H.  Wheeler. 


Solomon  E.  Peak. 
William  Smith, 
Henry  W.  Smith. 


Edwin  A.  Kendall. 
Robert  B.  McFarland. 
Peter  McMartin, 
John  M.  Smith. 
George  Shuman. 


Henry  C.  Crandall. 
Seth  Crowell, 
Harrison  Chatman. 
Charles  P.  Crocker, 
Bersilla  R.  Carpenter, 
George  W.  Crawford. 
William  H.  Clark. 
Tracy  W.  Cook. 
Garvin  Couller, 
Charles  W.  Callahan. 
John  P.  Cochrane, 
William  N.  Colegrove. 
Christian  Cook, 
Horace  S.  Crandall, 
Charles  Castele, 
William  W.  Davis. 
John  S.  Davis, 
Ira  B.  Drake, 
John  W.  Dawson, 
David  Decker, 
Jerome  Dowrife. 
John  Duffy, 


4:06 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


Edward  E.  Britton, 
Charles  Daily, 
William  Doughty, 
Ira  A.  Davis, 
James  K.  P.  England, 
Silas  H.  Emery, 
Marion  Ellsworth, 
Charles  B.  Eggleston. 
Robert  F.  Eiinger, 
YVm.  Eastman. 
Thaddeus  Eli, 
Argayla  Euke. 
W.  K.  Egglestone. 
Horace  A.  Fay, 
Daniel  M.  Fay. 
John  Feesack, 
Lucien  D.  Fowler. 
Alvara  B.  French. 
Jonathan  Ford. 
Nathan  G.  Filley. 
Henry  H.  Fuller. 
Hugh  Fairburn. 
Benj.  D.  Frame, 
Andrew  Finkenkiller. 
Samuel  H.  Fullerton. 
William  Flannigan. 
James  J.  Gray, 
William  L.  Gantz. 
Alvin  T.  Green, 
Joseph  Gardover. 
Waldo  Grant, 
Edward  P.  Gillett. 
Cyrus  C.  Gibbs. 
Francis  Howe, 
James  Hitchings. 
George  Hoyt. 
Milton  W.  Hulburt. 
John  Hitchings. 
Augustus  Hulburt. 
David  Hammon. 
William  Harper. 
Allen  A.  Harden. 
John  B.  Hawkins, 
Samuel  B.  Hotinger, 
Henry  Hotinger. 
George  W.  Hoskins. 
Benjamin  A.  Hale. 
Lyman  Harden. 
Frederick  Herwick. 
David  Heister, 
Charles  H.  Housh. 
flames  W.  Horn. 
Isaiah  M.  Hoggett, 
William  F.  Haun. 


Beaman  Colville. 
Joseph  D.  Ingar, 
Thomas  A.  Jessop, 
Andrew  L.  Jay. 
Samuel  Johnson, 
Lindley  H.  Joy. 
William  S.  Jobe. 
Taylor  Judkins, 
Allen  Jones, 
Jacob  Keft'er, 
John  Kitterman, 
William  H.  Krotz, 
Jacob  L.  Kerhart, 
John  Keller, 
John  B.  Kelly. 
James  Kile, 
Jacob  W.  Kirk, 
Wesley  P.  Kimberly. 
George  W.  Ledington. 
John  Lynch. 
Euretas  C.  Lyman. 
Adam  Lafolleet, 
Milan  A.  Loomis. 
John  Likes, 
Martin  Likes, 
William  W.  Lane. 
Edward  B.  Lair. 
Jesse  R.  Lyman. 
John  B.  Love, 
James  K.  Markley. 
James  T.  Mullford. 
Samuel  McMurry. 
Ephraim  Moore. 
John  A.  Mclntyre. 
Adam  Marquett, 
John  W.  Mauk. 
George  Naier, 
Elias  Marks. 
Reuben  G.  Merrill,  Sr., 
Reuben  G.  Merrill,  Jr. 
John  W.  Miller. 
Isaac  Martin. 
Win.  H.  Massay. 
John  H.  Miner. 
David  S.  Millin. 
WTilliam  Masina. 
Joseph  W.  Milner. 
Joseph  Marchant. 
John  Mollinger. 
George  W.  McCowan. 
Charles  W.  Maclin, 
Wm.  McCallister. 
Charles  McCarty, 
William  W.  McCoy. 


James  Daily, 
Isaac  R.  Mathews. 
David  McMains, 
Joseph  McCorkel, 
John  A.  Morrow, 
George  W.  Newell. 
Henry  Null, 
Henry  R.  Newcomb. 
Edward  Noa, 
William  B.  Ott, 
Ephraim  L.  Orr. 
James  Ousley, 
Aaron  F.  Ogden. 
Laban  O'Bleness, 
Michael  O'Reilly. 
Charles  A.  Orr, 
William  H.  Podmore. 
Jacob  M.  Pickett, 
James  H.  Phelan, 
Edward  Poole, 
Joseph  Peach, 
James  Pool. 
Thomas  A.  Pickard. 
Hiram  Pickard. 
David  Rutter. 
Joseph  C.  Ritchey, 
Abraham  Robins. 
Thomas  C.  Robinson. 
Dallas  Richardson. 
John  A.  Reed, 
Zachariah  Read. 
Nelson  Roberts, 
Erastus  D.  Ryan. 
Lenors  Richstinn. 
Thomas  H.  Rhode. 
George  Reynolds. 
Hiram  Root. 
Thomas  Rhatigan. 
William  H.  Rowe. 
.  William  W.  Snook. 
Samuel  Smith. 
John  Smith, 
Remembrance  M.  Swan. 
James  B.  Smith, 
Walter  A.  Smith, 
James  R.  Scroggs. 
James  L.  Sayres, 
Edmond  W.  Seeves. 
David  B.  Sterett. 
Madison  Stewart, 
George  D.  Smith, 
Luther  N.  Smith. 
John  Scheffert, 
David  O.  Schoemaker. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


407 


William  L.  Imes, 
Jacob  Shell, 
James  D.  Starkey, 
John  Skinner, 
Vandelier  Slade, 
John  W.  Scrackongart, 
Archibald  Sinclair. 
John  M.  Sprague. 
Thomas  Shampnoi. 
George  Teas, 
Alonzo  W.  Taft, 
John  D.  Tedro, 
Orange  F.  Tabor, 
Robert  M.  Tillotston. 
Don  Tremaine, 
Silas  C.  Truman. 
Hug-h  L.  Short. 


Moses  S.  McCoy,    // 
Alex.   J.  Thompson. 
Andrew  J.  Usher, 
William  VanWinkle, 
Willis  Van  Winkle, 
Martin  Varley, 
James  K.  P.  Van  Fleet. 
Matthias  Wagoner, 
John  Wilson, 
George  S.  Watson. 
Richard  H.  Watson, 
Francis  M.  Wimberby, 
Conrad  Wrilliams, 
Thomas  B.  Williams, 
John  O.  Walker. 
Alfred  Walker, 
Simeon  Tuttle. 


Lewis  Stoneman, 
Oscar  N.  Williams. 
Thomas  S.  Williams. 
Nichlas  Witzel, 
John  C.  West, 
Thomas  J.  Whetstine, 
Warren  L.  Wallong, 
David  Williams, 
Ira  H.  Wrildman. 
Willis  Ward, 
Jos.  Parker  Williams, 
James  A.  Weak, 
James  Williams, 
Edgar  L.  Winson. 
James  H.  Wise. 
Lewis  Wood. 
Isaac  J.  Wilmeth. 


1865. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

William  Thompson,  Colonel.  James  Hervey,  Asst.  Surgeon. 

Alex.  G.  McQueen,  Lieut.  Colonel.  Asa  Morgan,  Asst.  Surgeon. 

James  D.  Jenks,  Major.  Henry  L.  Morrill,  Adjutant. 

John  McDerrnott,  Major.  William  W.  Fluke,  Quartermaster. 

William  Whisenand,  Major.  Robert  T.  Newell,  Commissary. 

Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Surgeon.  James  S.  Rand,  Chaplain. 

LINE  OFFICERS. 


Thomas  J.  O'Bleness,  Capt.  Co.  A. 
Alex.  P.  Boyce,  1st  Lieut.  Co.  A. 
James  P.  Turner.  2d  Lieut.  Co.  A. 
Joseph  T.  Foster,  Capt.  Co.  B. 
Henry  P.  Shiffer.  1st  Lieut.  Co.  B. 
Hiram  S.  Heberling,  2d  Lt.  Co.  B. 
Thomas  J.  R.  Perry,  Capt.  Co.  C. 
Clinton  M.  Turner.  1st  Lt.  Co.  C. 
George  Van  Beek.  2d  Lt.  Co.  C. 
George  M.  Walker,  Capt.  Co.  D. 
James  G.  Rutter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  D. 
John  C.  Hammon.  2d  Lt.  Co.  D. 
William  A.  Coulter,  Capt.  Co.  E. 
Christian  Kauffman,  1st  Lt.  Co.  E. 
Robert  Baxter,  2d  Lt.  Co.  E. 
Charles  Dustin,  Capt.  Co.  F. 
Charles  W.  W.  Dow,  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 
James  C.  Huskins.  2d  Lt.  Co.  F. 


Albert  W.  Hosford,  Capt.  Co.  G. 
Ernst  A.  Klingenberg,  1st  Lt.  Co.  G. 
Eli  Waring,  2d  Lt.  Co.  G. 
Albert  U.  McCormick,  Capt.  Co.  H. 
Samuel  T.  Craig,  1st  Lt.  Co.  H. 
George  M.  Mark,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H. 
Amos  Dilley.  Capt.  Co.  I. 
Joseph  H.  Springer.  1st  Lt.  Co.  1. 
Samuel  M.  Lindsey,  2d  Lt.  Co.  I. 
James  M.  Russell,  Capt.  Co.  K. 
Walter  W.  Carpenter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  K. 
Charles  DuBois,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 
David  C.  Mclntyre,  Capt.  Co.  L. 
James  M.  Simeral.  1st  Lt.  Co.  L. 
John  M.  Enochs,  2d  Lt.  Co.  L. 
Solomon  Townsend,  Capt.  Co.  M. 
George  McDowell,  1st  Lt.  Co.  M. 
Edward  Ware,  2d  Lieut.  Co.  M. 


ADDITIONAL  ENLISTMENTS. 

COMPANY    B. 


John  Stephens. 


408 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 


COMPANY   D. 
Alvin  T.  Grier, 

COMPANY    E. 
COMPANY    H. 

G.  W.  Teal, 


William  Hanagin. 


David  E.  White. 


Clement  Benson, 
J.  H.  Rhodes. 

J.  K.  Follett, 
Thomas  C.  Gray, 

COMPANY    I. 

Martin  E    Anderson,       Wrm.  H.  H.  Gifford,         Joseph  M.  Maxwell. 
Isaac  G.  Daniels, 

George  Anson. 


Ambrose  Braden, 
Hoffman  Brown. 


COMPANY    L. 
COMPANY    M. 

John  H.  Rice, 


Joseph  Worth. 


1866. 

MEDICAL  DEPARTMENT  DURING  THE  WrAR, 

Milton  B.  Cochran,  Surgeon.  James  Hervey,  Hospital  Steward. 

Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Surgeon.  Edwin  M.  Winters,  Hos.  Steward. 

David  B.  Allen,  Asst.  Surgeon.          John  J.  Sanders.  Hos.  Steward. 
Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Asst.  Surgeon.  Robert  T.  Newell,  Hos.  Steward. 
John  A.  Ladd.  Asst.  Surgeon.  George  Delfelder,  Hos.  Steward. 

John  J.  Sanders,  Asst.  Surgeon.       Barron  S.  Edwards,  Hos.  Steward. 
James  Hervey,  Asst.  Surgeon.  James  Hervey,  Bat.  Hos.  Steward. 

Asa  Morgan,  Asst.  Surgeon.  Edwin  M.  Winters,  Bat.  Hos.  St'd. 

Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Ad.  Asst.  Sur.   Thomas  H.  Elder,  Bat.  Hos.  St'd. 
Joseph  C.  Stone, .  Hospital  Steward. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF  DURING  THE  WAR, 


Fitz  Henry  Wrarren,  Colonel. 
James  O.  Gower,  Colonel. 
Daniel  Anderson,  Colonel. 
William  Thompson.  Colonel. 
Charles  E.  Moss,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
P.  Gad  Bryan,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Daniel  Anderson.  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Jos.  W.  Caldwell,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Alex.  G.  McQueen,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
Edwin  W7.  Chamberlin,  Major, 
flames  O.  Gower,  Major. 
Wm.  M.  G.  Torrence,  Major. 
P.  Gad  Bryan.  Major. 
Daniel  Anderson,  Major. 
Joseph  W.  Caldwell,  Major. 
Levi  Chase,  Major. 
William  Thompson,  Major. 
Alexander  G.  McQueen,  Major. 
James  D.  Jenks,  Major. 
John  McDermott,  Major. 


David  B.  Allen,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
Charles  H.  Lothrop,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
John  A.  Ladd,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
Abram  B.  Hershey,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
John  J.  Sanders,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
James  Hervey,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
Asa  Morgan,  Asst.  Surgeon. 
Charles  B.  Bosbyshell,  A.  A.  S. 
Charles  H.  Lothrop,  A.  A.  S. 
Joseph  C.  Stone,  Adjutant, 
David  A.  Kerr,  Adjutant. 
John  A.  Donnell,  Adjutant. 
Henry  L.  Morrill,  Adfutant. 
Martin  L.  Morris,  Quartermaster. 
Sairrl  C.  Dickerson,  Quartermastr. 
Glaus  H.  Albers,  Quartermaster. 
Wm.  W.  Fluke,  Quartermaster. 
Henry  L.  Dashiel,  Commissary. 
Robert  T.  Newell,  Commissary. 
David  A.  Kerr,  Bat.  Adjutant. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Thomas  A.  Bereman,  Major.  James  M.  Bryan,  Bat.  Adjutant. 

William  S.  Whisenand.  Major.  Henry  B.  Robinson,  Bat.  Adjutant. 

Milton  B.  Cochran,  Surgeon.  Joseph  S.  Edsall,  Bat.  Adjutant. 

John  A.  Landis,  Bat.  Q.  M.  James  W.  Latham,  Chaplain, 

Charles  A.  Case,  Bat.  Q.  M.  John  M.  Coggeshall,  Chaplain. 

William  H.  Muzzy,  Bat.  Q.  M.  James  8.  Rand,  Chaplain. 

LINE  OFFICERS  DURING  THE  WAR. 

Wm.  M.  G.  Torrence,  Capt.  Co.  A.  George  M.  Walker,   1st  Lt.  Co.  1). 
Alex.  McQueen,  Capt.  Co.  A.  James  G.  Rutter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  D. 

Robert  M.  Reynolds,  Capt.  Co.  A.    William  R.  Shriver,  2d  Lt.  Co.  I). 
Thomas  J.  O'Bleness,  Capt.  Co.  A.   George  M.  Walker,  2d  Lt.  Co.  D. 
Alex.  G.  McQueen,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A.     William  B.  Ramsey,  2d  Lt.  Co.  I). 
Robert  M.  Reynolds,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A.  John  C.  Hammon,  2d  Lt.  Co.  D. 
John  R.  Marshall,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A.       William  Thompson,  Capt.  Co.  E. 
John  R.  Russell,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A.         Thomas  A.  Bereman.  Capt.  Co.  E. 
Thomas  J.  CTBleness,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A.  William  A.  Coulter,  Capt.  Co.  E. 
Alexander  P.  Boyce,  1st  Lt.  Co.  A.   William  P.  McClure.  1st  Lt.  Co.  E. 
Robert  M.  Reynolds,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.   Silas  R.  Nugen,  1st  Lt.  Co.  E. 
John  A.  Bishop,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.  William  A.  Coulter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  E. 

John  R.  Marshall.  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.       Christian  C.  Kauffman,  IstLt.  Co.  E. 
Andrew  S.  Hamilton,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.  Thomas  A.  Bereman.  2d  Lt.  Co.  E. 
John  L.  Russell,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.          Sumner  B.  Marshall,  2d  Lt.  Co.  E. 
Thomas  J.  O'Bleness,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.  Wrilliain  A.  Coulter,  2d  Lt.  Co.  E. 
Alexander  P.  Boyce,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.   Christian  C.  Kauffman,  2d  Lt.  ( Jo.  K. 
James  P.  Turner,  2d  Lt.  Co.  A.        George  E.  Ives.  2d  Lt.  Co,  E. 
Wm.  E.  Leffingwell,  Capt.  Co.  B.      Robert  Baxter,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 
Samuel  S.  Burdett,  Capt.  Co.  B.       James  ().  Gower,  Capt.  Co.  F. 
Joseph  T.  Foster.  Capt.  Co.  B.          James  R.  Elliott,  Capt.  Co.  F. 
Samuel  S.  Burdett,  1st  Lt.  Co.  B.    Philip  E.  Shaver,  Capt.  Co.  F. 
Joseph  T.  Foster,  1st  Lt,  Co.  B.       Charles  Dustin.  Capt.  Co.  F. 
Henry  P.  Shifter,  1st  Lt.  Co.  B.        James  R.  Elliott,  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Wm.  H.  DeFreest,  2d  Lt.  Co.  B.       Philip  E.  Shaver,  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Henry  P.  Shifter,  2d  Lt.  Co.  B.         Charles  Dustin.  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Hiram  S.  Heberling,  2d  Lt.  Co.  B.   Jacob  Hursh.  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Levi  Chase.  Capt.  Co.  C.  Charles  W.  W.  Dow.  1st  Lt.  Co.  F. 

Thomas  Jones.  Capt.  Co.  C.  Philip  E.  Shaver.  2d  Lt.  Co.  F. 

Thomas  R.  Perry.  Capt.  Co.  C.          Charles  Dustin,  2d  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Benjamin  Raney,  1st  Lt.  Co.  C.        Jacob  Hursh,  2d  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Thomas  Jones,  1st  Lt.  Co.  C.  Charles  W.  W.  Dow.  2d  Lt.  Co.  F. 

Mathew  Ronaldson.  1st  Lt.  Co.  C.   James  P.  Huskins.  2d  Lt.  Co.  F. 
Thomas  J.  R.  Perry.  1st  Lt.  Co.  C.   James  D.  Thompson.  Capt.  Co.  G. 
Clinton  M.  Turner.  1st  Lt.  Co.  C.    John  McDermott,  Capt.  Co.  G. 
Albert  F.  Dean,  2d  Lt.  Co.  C'.  Albert  W.  Hosford.  Capt.  Co.  G. 

Thomas  Jones,  2d  Lt.  Co.  C.  John  McDermott,  1st  Lt.  Co.  G. 

Mathew  Ronaldson,  2d  Lt.  Co.  C.    Elkanah  S.  Foster,  1st  Lt.  Co.  G. 
William  A.  Clark.  2d  Lt.  Co.  C.       Ernst  A.  Klingenberg,  1st  Lt.  Co.  G. 
Clinton  M.  Turner.  2d  Lt.  Co.  C.     Elkanah  S.  Foster,  2d  Lt.  Co.  G. 
George  Van  Beek,  2d  Lt.  Co.  C.       Solomon  Smith,  2d  Lt.  Co.  G. 
P.  Gad  Bryan,  Capt.  Co.  D.  Albert  W.  Hosford,  2d  Lt.  Co.  (4. 

James  D.  Jenks.  Capt.  Co.  D.  Eli  Waring.  2d  Lt.  Co.  G. 

George  M.  Walker,  Capt.  Co.  D.       Daniel  Anderson,  Capt.  Co.  H, 
James  D.  Jenks.  1st  Lt.  Co.  D.         Riley  Westcoatt,  ('apt,  Co.  H. 
William  R.  Shriver,  2d  Lt.  Co.  D.   Wm'  S.  Whisenand.  Capt.  Co.  H. 
52 


•410  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

A.  U.  McCormick.  Capt.  Co.  H.  Albert  L.  Freeman.  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 

Kiley  Westcoatt,  1st  Lt.  Co.  H.  Hiram  H.  Sowles,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 

Wm.  8.  Whisenand.  1st  Lt.  Co.  H.  Charles  F.  Keeler,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 

A.  U.  McCormick.  1st  Lt.  Co.  H.  James  M.  Russell,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 

Samuel  T.  Craig,  1st  Lt.  Co.  H.  Charles  DuBois,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 

Wm.  S.  Whisenand,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H.  Herman  H.  Heath,  Capt.  Co.  L. 

A.  U.  McCormick,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H.  David  C.  Mclntyre.  Capt.  Co.  L. 

Samuel  T.  Craig,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H.  David  C.  Mclntyre.  1st  Lt.  Co.  L. 

George  M.  Mark.  2d  Lt.  Co.  H.  James  M.  Simeral,  1st  Lt.  Co.  L. 

Joseph  W.  Caldwell.  Capt.  Co.  I.  James  M.  Simeral,  2d  Lt.  Co.  L. 

David  C.  Dinsmore.  Capt.  Co.  I.  W.  Y.  Reeves,  2d  Lt.  Co.  L. 

Amos  Dilley,  ('apt.  (Jo.  I.  John  M.  Enochs,  2d  Lt.  Co.  L. 

David  C.  Dinsmore.  1st   Lt.  Co.  I.  \Vm.  H.  Ankeny,  Capt.  Co.  M. 

Amos  Dilley,  1st  Lt.  Co.  I.  James  P.  Crosby,  Capt.  Co.  M. 

Joseph  H.  Springer.  1st  Lt.  Co.  I.  Solomon  Townsend.  Capt.  Co.  M. 

Wm.  H.  Kitterman.  2d  Lt.  Co.  I.  James  Crissey,  1st  Lt.  Co.  M. 

Samuel  M.  Lindsey.  2d  Lt.  Co.  I.  Edwin   A.  Dunham.  1st  Lt.  Co.  M. 

Robert  L.  Freeman.  Capt.  Co.  K.  George  McDowell.  1st  Lt.  Co.  M. 

Thomas  H.  Barnes,  Capt.  Co.  K.  James  P.  Crosby,  2d  Lt.  Co.  M. 

James  M.  Russell,  Capt.  Co.  K.  Edwin  A.  Dunham,  2d  Lt.  Co.  M. 

Thomas  H.  Barnes.   1st  Lt.  Co.  K.  Solomon  Townsend.  2d  Lt.  Co.  M. 

Charles  F.  Keeler.  1st  Lt.  Co.  K.  George  McDowell.   2d  Lt.  Co.  M. 

W.  W.  Carpenter.  1st  I A  Co.  K.  Edward  M.  Ware.  2d   Lt.  Co.  M. 

NON-COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS  AND  PRIVATES 

Killed,    Wounded.    Died  of  Wounds,    Died  of  Disease,    Discharged  for 
Disability  and  for   Promotion.    During  the   War. 

NON  COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

John    B.  Aiken.  Sergeant  Major,  discharged  Feb.  26,  '63.  for  disability. 

C.  H.  Thompson.  Q.  M.  S..  dis.  Aug.  30,  '63.  for  promotion.  Capt.  C.  S. 

J.  T.  Foster,  Bat.  S.  M..  wounded.  July  16,  "62.  at  Big  Creek  Cliffs.  Mo. 

H.  L.  Dashiel.  B.  Q.  S.,  wounded,  July  16.  "62,  Big  ("reek  Cliffs,  severely. 

Dexter  A.  Buck.  dis.  Sept.  25,  '62.  for  disability. 

Joseph  Stone.  Chief  Bugler,  died  May  17.  '62.  Butler.  Mo.,  of  wounds. 

John  J.  Sanders.  Hospital  Steward,  captured,  July  29.  '63. 

Lucius   B.  Man  waring.  Commissary,  promoted  Oct..  1865.  from  Co.  L. 

COMPANY    A. 

Thos.  Reynolds.  Com.  Ser..  dis.  Jan.  21,  '65.  St.  Louis,  disability. 
Thos.  C.  Van  Hook.  Ser..  died  Sept.  28.  '62,  shot  by  guerrillas  Sept.  20. 
Walter  S.  Gray,  Ser..  transferred.  Aug.   15.  '63.  to  invalid  corps. 
Clayton  F.  Driakill,  Cor.,  died  April  11.  '64.  wounds  at  Prairie  d" Anne. 
Jas.  Robertson.  Cor.,  drowned  Jan.  22.  '63.  Forsyth.  Mo..  White  river. 
Anthony  Vanaerman.  Cor.,  wounded  Aug.  27.  '63.  Bayou  Metoe.  sev. 
Joseph  S.  Van  Sant.  Cor.,  transferred  for  prom,  in  1st  Ark.  Infantry. 
John  Wright  2d.  Cor.,  wounded  April  20,  '64.  Moro.  Ark.,  left  leg.  sev. 
Wm.  K.  Reeves,  Far.,  died  Dec.  26.  '63.  Montrose.  Iowa,  of  dysentery. 
Aaron  H.  Thatcher.  Far.,  dis.  Feb.  24.  '63.  Springfield,  Mo.,  disability. 
Wm.  C.  Andrews,  private,  dis.  Dec.  19,  '62.  Keokuk,  disability. 
Harvey  Adair.  died  Mar.  30.  '64.  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  pneumonia. 
Albin  Blood,  dis.  Sept.  1.  '65.  Davenport,  disability. 
Bartlett  Brown,  died  Aug.  23.  '64.  Little  Rock,  remittent  fever. 
Brainard    Bridges,  dis. -Aug.  4.  '63. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRV.  411 

R.  T.  Baker,  died  Aug.  81.  '63.  Brownsville,  Ark.,  congestive  chills. 

G.  W.  Collins,  died  July  11,  '62,  Big-  Creek  Cliffs,  shot  by  guerrillas. 

A.  C.  (orC.  A.)  Carter,  dis.  April  14.  '63,  Lake  Springs,  Mo.,  disability. 

Wra.  H.  Carter,  wounded  Oct.  28,  '62.  near  Cross  Hollows,  Ark. 

John  W.  Cross,  died  Jan.  19.  '63,  Springfield,  Mo.,  phthisis  pulmonalis. 

Geo,  F.  Davidson,  died  Sept.  30.  '63.  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Lewis  H.  Foster,  died  Nov.  29,  1861,  Syracuse,  Mo.,  convulsions. 

Williamson  H.  Fortune,  wounded  Dec.  7.  "62,  Prairie  Grove,  slightly. 

Thomas  C.  Fletcher,  wounded  Jan.  8,  '62.  Silver  Creek,  Mo. 

Geo.  W.  Green,  wounded  Aug.  20,  '62,  severely,  accidental  dis.  of  gun. 

Geo.  W.  Green,  dis.  May  27.  '63.  Keokuk. 

Owen  P.  Gower,  killed  Sept.  27,  '64,  Centralia.  Mo..  Anderson's  guer. 

Ambrose  Gailigher.  dis.  May  26.  '63,  St.  Louis,  prom,  llth   Mo.  Cav. 

Herman  Huiskamp.  trans.  May  20,  '63.  to  2d  Lieutenantcy  in  6th. 

Nelson  Holding,  died  May  28,  '65,  Memphis,  Tenn..  chronic  dysentery. 

Klwood  Hollingsworth,  dis.  Feb.  12.  '63.  Forsyth,  Mo.,  disability. 

Frederick  Herwick.  dis.  dishonorably  by  sentence  of  court  martial. 

John  Herwick,  trans..  Little  Rock.  prom,  in  4th  Ark.  Inf.  A.  D. 

Gilbert  W.  Genree.  trans.  Aug.  21,  '63,  to  invalid  corps. 

Frank  H.  Jones,  dis.  June  21.  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Geo.  H.  Klingenberry,  died  Sept.  8,  '64,  near  Helena,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Hiram  Leland,  killed  Aug.  27.  '63,  Bayou  Metoe.  in  battle. 

Emery  Mathews.  died  Sept.  13,  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

Jas.  F.  McKinley,  died  Sept.  9,  '63.  Brownsville,  Ark.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

C.  E.  Moss,  Jr..  dis.  Sept.  4.  '64,  St.  Louis,  prom.  2d  Lt.  41st  Mo.  Inf. 

Jas.  McCutcheon,  dis.  Mar.  2,  '65,  Memphis,  Tenn..  disability. 

John  Mack,  dis.  Oct.  1.'61,  St.  Louis,  prom.  111.  Inf. 

Chas.  L.  Mori-ill,  died  Mar.  7,  '65.  Little  Rock,  inflammation  stomach. 

Byron  Pettit,  died  Sept.  17.  '64.    Memphis,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Prosper  A.  Rose,  deserted  Feb.  14.  '63,  Forsyth.  Mo. 

Levi  Wm.  Rosecrans.  dis.  Feb.  12.  '62.  Forsyth.  Mo.,  disability. 

Anglos  F.  Sala.  wounded  Sept.  10.  '63.  Little  Rock,  slightly  in  thigh. 

James  Scott,  wounded  Jan.  8.  '62.  Silver  Creek.  Mo.,  severely  in  face. 

Jacob  M.  Shook,  wounded  accidentally  in  foot. 

Zach.  E.  Thomas,  dis.  Mar.  24.  '63.  Springfield,  Mo.,  pro.  llth  Mo.  Cav. 

Pleasant  A.  Timberlake.  died  Jan.  7.  '64.  Keokuk.  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Prentice  K.  Tuttle.  trans.  Aug.  21,  '63.  to  invalid  corps. 

G.  W.  Warson,  died  July  10,  '62.  Gates  Farm,  Mo.,  w'ds  rec'd  July  9. 

Ad.  Walker,  dis.  Feb.  12.  '62.  Forsyth.  Mo.,  disability. 

Oren  Wilkins.  dis.  June  30,  '64.  Little  Rock,  disability. 

Harrison  T.  Wilson,  wounded,  near  Clinton,  Mo.,  by  guerrillas,  in  neck. 

A.  J.  Wilson,  wounded  Aug.  27,  '63.  Bayou  Metoe,  slightly  in  forearm. 

A.  J.  Wilson,  wounded  Feb.  19.  '64.  near  Little  Rock,  slightly  in  face. 

A.  J.  Wilson,  trans.  June  30.  '65.  to  V.  R.  C. :  dis.  July  26.  '63. 

COMPANY    B. 

Stephen  B.  Dunne,  Ser..  dis.  June  30,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  disability. 

Geo.  W.  Kincaid,  Ser..  dis.  May  5,  '62,  Osceola,  Mo.,  disability. 

Levi  G.  Allen,  Cor.,  deserted  July  19,  '62,  Osceola,  Mo.,  joined  rebels. 

Geo.  A.  Gibson.  Cor.,  dis.  Sept.  27.  '62,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

Lemuel  Durling,  Cor.,  deserted  June  24.  '62,  Osceola.  Mo. 

Charles  C.  Hall,  Cor.,  deserted  June.  24,  '62,  Osceola.  Mo. 

Thomas  Mullins,  Far.,  killed  May  30,  163,  Rolla.  Mo.,  by  a  sentinel. 

Wm.  G.  Graham,  Sad.,  died  Nov.  16,  '63.  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRHT  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

George  I).  Allen,  dis.,  St.  Louis. 

Geo.  F.  Bantz.  died  Nov.  21,  '63,  near  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Dexter  A    Buck.  dis.  Sept.  15,  '62,  disability. 

David  S.  Bullock,  captured  Feb.  24,  '63,  Sugar  Loaf  Prairie,  Ark. 

Japheth  Bell,  died  July  20.  '64,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Robert  W.  Bodell,  discharged  to  accept  promotion. 

Seth  Crowell,  died  Oct.  5,  '64,  Little  Rock. 

Silas  D.  Crawford,  died,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

John  Carr.  deserted  April  2.  '62,  Clinton,  Mo. 

James  C.  Carr.  deserted  April  2,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.;  returned  to  duty. 

James  C.  Carr.  deserted  Oct.  4,  '62,  Springfield,  Mo. 

John  Downing,  discharged  June  5.  '62,  disability. 

James  M.  Debinney,  deserted  July  18,  '62,  Osceola,  Mo. 

Geo.  W.  Dilley,  killed  Sept.  27,  '64,  Centralia,  Mo.,  murdered  by  guer. 

William  H.  Evans,  discharged  July  8,  '62,  disability. 

Geo.  H.  Fleming,  killed  Nov.  12,  '62,  Lexington,  Mo.,  in  skirmish,  guer. 

Samuel   B.  Gates,  killed  Aug.  24.  '63.  Brownsville,  Ark.,  shot  by  sen. 

Henry  J.  Guth,  transferred  Sept.  25,  '64,  to  U.  S.  Lancers. 

Wm.  F.  Haun,  died  June  3-11.  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

Wm.  J.  Haney.  discharged  Feb.  15.  '68,  disability. 

Wm.  H.  Hughson.  capt.  April  25.  '64.  Moro  Creek,  Ark.;  pris.  a  year. 

Henry  J.  Heiman.  dis.  June  4.  '63.  Springfield.  Mo.,  disability. 

Hiram  Huchenberg.  died  Nov.  17,  '64.  Little  Rock. 

James  C.  Kier,  dis.  June,  '62,  Osceola.  Mo.,  disability. 

John  M.  D.  Kelly,  died  Aug.  2,  '61.  Burlington,  apoplexy. 

John  Kelly,  drowned  Mar.  2,  '63,  near  Forsyth.  Mo.,  in  White  river. 

Duncan  P.  McDonald,  missing,  April  2.  '64.  Antonia,  Ark.,  in  action. 

David   D.  Mills,  deserted  April  2.  '64.  Clinton,  Mo. 

Smedley  H.  McMaster.  dis.  May  4,  '63.  Springfield.  Mo. 

Samuel"  McMurray,  died  Dec.  10-17,  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

Chas.  G.  P.  Myers,  deserted  June,  '64.  Little  Rock. 

Wm.  H.  Podmore.  died  Oct.  23.  '65.  Hempstead.  Texas. 

Charles  L.  Prior,  killed  May  2.  "64.  Little  Rock,  shot  by  guard. 

Frank  H.  Robinson,  dis.  July  10.  '63.  St.  Louis. 

Joseph  H.  Robertson,  dis.  May  14.  '63.  Springfield.  Mo.,  disability. 

Henry  Samuels,  died  Aug.  1.  '64.  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

Ezra  J.  Smith,  dis.  Feb.  14.  '65.  Louisville.  Ky..  pro.  12th  Mo.  Inf. 

Don  Tremaine.  died  June  19,  "64.  Little  Rock. 

Wm.  Wilber.  wounded  Mar.  12.  "62.  near  Lexington.  Mo.,  in  skirmish. 

Samuel  Whipple,  deserted  Oct.  4.  '64.  Springfield,  Mo. 

Dwight  H.  Whedon.  dis.  Feb.  24,  '63,  Forsyth.  Mo.,  disability. 

Warren  Williams,  wounded  in  hand  by  pistol  shot. 

Oscar  G.  Williams,  killed  Sept.  27.  '64.  Centralia.  Mo.,  mur.  by  guer. 

COMPANY    <'• 

Wm.  G.  Harbach.  Q.  M.  Ser..  died  May  27,  "62.  Osceola.  Mo.,  wound. 
Mathew   Ronaldson.  Ser..  wounded  Mar.  25.  '62,  slightly  in  face. 
Frederick  O.  Lane.  Ser..  deserted  July  7.  '64,  Davenport. 
Otis  S.  Whiting,  Ser..  died  Dec.  23,  '63.  West  Point,  chronic  diarrhoea. 
GQO.  W.  Patterson.  Cor.,  dis.  Nov.  2.  '63,  Keokuk.  disability. 
William  P.  Allen.  Bugler,  trans,  to  67th  U.  S.  C.  Inf..  pro.  to  Lieut. 
K.  W.  Deal.  Sad.,  drowned  in  Miss,  river  bet.  Burlington  and  St.  Louis. 
().  W.  Coffman.  died   Dec.  26.  '63.  Lucas  county,  chronic  diarrhoea. 
Franklin  Arrickson.  priv..  dis.  Dec,  2.  '62.  Woody  Springs.  Mo.,  disab. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  418 

Wilbert  S.  Andrews,  died  Mar.  25,  '63,  Gladden  Valley,  Mo. 

Lorin  T.  Bush,  dis.  June  2,  '65,  wound  disabling-  left  arm. 

Benj.  F.  Barr,  died  Sept.  30,  '63,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Wm.  W.  Barr,  died  Sept.  14,  '63,  St.  Louis,  in  insane  asylum. 

John  S.  B.  Coggeshall,  dis.  Mar.  10,  '64,  Little  Rock. 

Josiah  Cameron,  died  May  28,  '62,  Osceola,  wounds  rec'd  May  27. 

Simon  W.  Cooley,  died  April,  '64,  West  Point,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

H.  J.  Clingenfield,  des.  June  23.  '63;  joined  from  desertion  Dec.  25.  '63. 

H.  J.  Clingenfield,  deserted  July  16,  '64,  Benton  Barracks. 

Benj.  F.  Cooley,  died  April  21,  '64,  Memphis,  intermittent  fever. 

T.  J.  Dean,  trans.  Sept.  12.  '61,  pro.  in  Mo.  Eng.  Regt.  of  the  West. 

Franklin  Drury,  died  Oct.  15,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Porter  W.  Henry,  dis.  Nov.  1,  '62,  Cross  Hollows,  disability. 

Michael  Higgins,  died  May  28,  '62,  Osceola,  wounds  rec'd  May  27. 

John  J.  Hillery.  died  April  26,  '64,  Camden.  Ark.,  wounds  April  14. 

Rolla  Kimball,  deserted  June  17.  '64,  Burlington. 

Chas.  E.  Madera.  killed  Sept.  27,  '64,  Centralia,  murdered  by  guerrillas. 

Wm.  Morgan,  dis.  July  29,  '62,  Sedalia.  Mo. 

Charles  N.  Martin,  killed  Aug.  27,  '63,  Bayou  Metoc,  Ark.,  in  battle. 

John  Russell,  killed  Sept.  27,  '62,  Centralia,  murdered  by  guerrillas. 

A.  H.  Stutsman.  wounded  Mar.  25,  62,  St.  Clair  Co.,  Mo.,  in  face,  arm. 

A.  H.  Stutsman'  wounded  Aug.  27,  '63.  Bayou  Metoe,  left  arm  amp. 

A.  H.  Stutsman,  dis.  Jan.  13,  '64,  Keokuk,  for  wounds.    • 

Joseph  O.  Scranton,  trans.  Oct.  20,  '61,  to  Berger's  Sharp-Shooters. 

Rufus  Underwood,  dis.  Mar.  24,  '63,  Springfield,  Mo.,  disability. 

John  Upton,  died  Mar.  16,  '64,  Little  Rock,  concussion. 

Elijah  G.  Wilcox,  dis.  Jan.  1,  '62,  Jefferson  City.  Mo. 

Jacob  R.  Wolf,  died  Dec.  22.  '61,  Jefferson  City,  pneumonia. 

Pliny  Wilcox,  died  July  19.  '63,  Bloomfield,  Mo.,  fracture  of  skull. 

A.  W.  Wyman.  dis.  Jan.  26,  '64,  pro.  2d  Lieut.  Co.  L,  2d  Ark.  Cav. 

COMPANY    D. 

Butler  Bird.  Q.  M.  Ser..  dis.  Feb.  14,  '63,  Forsyth.  Mo.,  disability. 
Henry  Sharer.  Ser.,  dis.  Sept.  21,  '63.  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  disability.  ' 
Clarence  Stanley  Wilson,  Ser.,  dis.  Feb.  14,  '63,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  disability. 
Abraham  J.  Reeves.  Ser..  killed  April  4,  '64,  Elkin's  Ford,  Ark. 
Joseph  T.  Garrison.  Ser.,  dis.  Mar.  3.  "63.  Springfield  Mo.,  disability. 
W.  H.  Newman,  Cor.,  dis.  Mar.  12,  '63,  Springfield,  pro.  1st  Ark.  Inf. 
John  H.  McMahon,  Cor.,  dis.  May  16,  '62,  disability. 
David  W.  Griffith,  Cor.,  dis.  Feb.  2.  '62.  Ottterville,  Mo.,  disability. 
William  A.  Dickson,  Cor.,  died  April  16,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  liver  com. 
David  D.  Burnett,  Bugler,  wounded  Mar.  11,  '62,  Lafayette  Co..  Mo. 
Milton  C.  Carter,  Sad.,  dis.  Feb.  14.  '63,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  disability. 
Aaron  Biggs.  Sad.,  dis.  May  20,  '63,  Lake  Spring,  Mo.,  disability. 
Henry  B.  Andyke,  priv..  Nov.  8.  '61,  Tipton,  Mo.,  disability. 
James  Harvey  Bird,  killed  May  15,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  by  guerrillas. 
James  W.  Black,  dis.  Oct.  28.  '61.  St.  Louis,  disability. 
Elihu  G.  Barker,  dis.  to  accept  pro.  in  113th  U.  S.  Inf.,  A.  D. 
David  H.  Brown,  dis.  Jan.  18,  '63,  St.  Louis,  disability. 
George  H.  Colville,  died  Nov.  4,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  fever. 
William  H.  Crosswait,  died  July  28,  '64,  Lewis,  Mo.,  consumption. 
Thomas  M.  Cleland,  dis.  Oct.  1,  '61.  Burlington,  disability. 
Everts  S.  Ewing,  dis.  Jan.  11.  '65,  appointed  Capt.  and  C.  S.  Vols. 
Andrew  J.  Foust,  killed  May  15.  '62,  near  Butler,  Mo.,  by  guerrillas. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Samuel  A.  Flanders,  wounded  March  11,  '62,  Lafayette  Co.,  Mo. 

William  A.  Flannigan,  died  Jan.  31,  '65.  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  pneumonia. 

Isaac  E.  Groom,  captured  Feb.  23,  '63. 

Alvin  F.  Grier,  died  Aug.  7.  '65,  Alexandria,  La. 

Peter  Hill,  wounded  Mar.  11.  '62,  Lafayette  Co.,  Mo. 

Joseph  C.  Hewitt,  died  Feb.  21,  '60.  Memphis.  Tenn. 

Geo.  W.  Hollingsworth.  died  ApriH).  '63.  Lake  Springs,  Mo.,  pneu. 

Tyra  R.  Hutchins,  dis.  Aug.  17,  '63.  disability. 

Fi-ancis  M.  Judkins,  dis.  Aug.  30,  '62,  Lexington.  Mo.,  disability. 

William  W.  Kerr,  died  Dec.  17.  '62,  Ft.  Scott,  Ark.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

DeWitt  C.  Kelly,  dis.  June  8,  '64,  to  accept  pro.  Hos.  Stew.  Reg.  Army. 

Jacob  W.  Kirk,  transferred,  April  24,  '65.  to  First  Battalion.  V.  Co.  E. 

Bayliss  E.  Lake,  captured  Feb.  23.  '63. 

Martin  Likes,  died  Dec.  9,  '64.  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  disease. 

( 1harles  C.  Martin,  died  Dec.  5,  '61,  Syracuse,  Mo.,  typhus  fever. 

William  McGee,  dis.  Mar.  27,  '62,  Lexington,  Mo.,  disability. 

Myron  Maine,  dis.  Aug.  25,  '62.  Clinton.  Mo.,  disability. 

Thomas  McClean,  deserted  Aug.  26,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo. 

Valentine  Martin,  died  Mar.  29,  '63,  Lexington,  Mo.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

William  H.  Magill,  died  June  29,  '64,  Macon  City,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Thomas  H.  Magill,  killed  Sept.  10,  '63.  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  in  battle. 

Elias  Mark,  died  Mar.  14.  '64,  Duvall's  Bluff,  measles. 

Edw.   H.  Messinger.  died  Apr.  6,  '64,  Elkin's  Ford,  wounds  rec.  Apr.  4. 

George  Read,  died  Nov.  21.  '63.  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Perry  Roberts,  died  Aug.  1C).  '64,  Van  Buren,  Ark. 

Andrew  J.  Rubles,  died  Jan.  16,  '62,  Otterville,  Mo.,  disease. 

Edward  Shufeldt.  deserted  Sept.  20,  '62.  Clinton.  Mo. 

Jesse  Slough,  captured  Feb.  23,  '63. 

Samuel  E.  Shannon,  wounded  April  14,  '62,  Montevallo. 

G.  W.  Sharer,  capt.  Sept.  23,  '63  ;  died  Oct.  28,  St.  Louis,  pneumonia. 

Mathias  R.  Sharer,  captured  Feb.  23,  '63. 

James  H.  Stewart,  died  Aug.  10.  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Newton  Saunders,  died  Aug.  10,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Harvey  Thomas,  died  Sept.  30,  '63.  Memphis.  Tenn. 

Thomas  Williams,  died  Nov.  10.  '61,  St.  Louis,  typhoid  fever. 

Mathew  W.  Wilkins.  discharged  May  28,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  disability. 

William  F.  Whitmarsh,  died  Jan.  5,  '65,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

James  A.  Weaks,  Nov.  13.  '64.  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

COMPANY    E. 

S.    B.  Marshall.  Q.  M.  S..  w'ded  Aug.  31.  '62,  Cedar  Creek,  Mo.,  in  leg. 
Jos.  H.  Blazer,  Ser..  dis.  Dec.  31,  '62,  Prairie  Grove.  Ark.,  disability. 
Turner  B.  Wing,  Ser.,  died  Oct.  31.  '62.  Iowa,  chronic  diarrhoea. 
G.  W.  VanOrsdell.  Ser.,  w'ded  Mar.  29,  '64,  Arkadelphia,  Ark.,  left  eye. 
H.  T.  Pownall,  Cor.  ^  died  Oct.  9,  '63.  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  chronic  diarr. 
J.  W.  Hardin,  Cor.,  capt.  April  1.  '64.  Arkadelphia  :  w'ded  Mar.  29.  '64. 
Joseph  H.  Arnold.  Cor.,  killed   Sept.  27.  '64,  Centralia,  Mo.,  by  guer. 
Francis  M.  Buck,  died  Jan.  9.  '65,  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  consumption. 
N.    L.  Ives,  Cor.,  dis.  Dec.  31,  '62,  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  disability. 
R.    Baxter,  Bugler,  wounded  May  15.  '62.  Little  Miami,  Mo.,  face,  etc. 
Emery  Bennett,  priv..  dis.  Mar.  8.  '62.  Benton  Barracks.  Mo.,  disability. 
Clementine  M.    Bird,  wounded  Mar.  18,  '62,  Lusburg,  Mo.,  arm,  etc. 
H.  H.  ("ratty,  died  Oct.  17,  '63,  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 
Carlisle  Canterbury,  wounded   Augf.  27.  '63  Bayou  Metoe,  Ark.,  leg. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  415 

Amasa  Daily,  died  May  10,  '64,  St.  Louis,  chronic  dysentery. 

William   A.  Davis,  dis.  Jan.  3,  '63,  Fayetteville,  Ark.,  disability. 

Mortimer  B.  Darrell,  transfd  Nov.  1,  '61,  to  pro.  18th  U.  S.  Inf. 

William  F.  Earhart,  died  Jan.  7,  '65,  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  typhoid  fever. 

Samuel  W.  Grimes,  died  May  25,  '64,  Danville,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Isaac  N.  Hall,  wounded  Aug.  27.  '63,  Bayou  Metoe,  right  arm. 

R.  M.  Heatherington.  died  Nov.  10,  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  fever. 

Jacob  Hulbert.  dis.  June  11,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  disability. 

Wm.  H.  Johnson,  died  Dec.  2,  '6j,  Mt.  Pleasant,  consumption. 

M.  M.  Meredith,  killed  May  15,  '62,  Bates  Co.,  shot  in  head  and  breast. 

Jas.  Montgomery,  died  Jan.  8,  '65,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

Aug.  G.  McCormick,  dis.  Oct.  25.  '64,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

W.  H.  H.  Ogan.  w'ded  Aug.  2,  '62,  in  arm;  dis.  Oct.  27,  '62,  wounds. 

Jos.  M.  Potter,  died  Feb.  25.  '62,  Benton  Barracks,  fever. 

Jacob  S.  Probasco,  dis.  Oct.  25,  '61,  disability. 

Hiram  Pickard,  trans.  April  27,  '65,  to  V.  0.  R. 

Abraham  A.  Shippen,  died  Aug.  24,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  fever. 

John  Smith,  died  April  6,  '64,  Little  Mo.  River.  Ark.,  wounded  Ap.  4. 

John  C.  Tiffany,  died  Aug.  24,  '62,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Oliver  H.  White,  dis.  Dec.  31,  '62,  Prairie  Grove,  disability. 

Wm.  N.  White,  died  Mar.  2.  '63,  Springfield,  Mo.,  pneumonia. 

John  C.  Wilson,  died  Aug.  6.  '62,  Butler.  Mo.,  fever. 

James  S.  Wilson,  died  Nov.  1,.  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  measles,  diarr. 

Ransom  Walker,  wounded  Aug.  27.  '63,  Bayou  Metoe.  slightly. 

Cyrenus  Warren,  killed  Dec.  6,  '62,  Cassville.  Mo.,  accidentally. 

Jonathan  Wilford,  wounded  Aug.  27,'  63.  Bayou  Metoe,  in  head. 

Harvey  Wing,  died  Oct.  26,  '63,  Brownsville,  wounds  rec'd  Aug.  27.  '62. 

COMPANY    F. 

A.  J.  Beeson,  Com.  Ser.,  dis.  May  1,  "63,  Lake  Springs,  Ark.,  disability. 

Wm.  Hunter.  S.,  died  May  25,  "63,  Cape  Girardeau,  wounds  rec'd  May  15. 

Nelson  H.  Brawner,  Ser.,  dis.  Feb.  10,  '62,  near  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

Thos.  D.  Morgan.  Cor.,  died  Jan.  13,  '63,  Springfield,  Mo.,  pneumonia.. 

Jas.  W.  Crawford.  Cor.,  dis.  Sept.  29.  '62.  Clinton.  Mo.,  disability. 

R.  L.  Hoxie,  Cor.,  dis.  June  15,  '64,  Davenport,  cadetship  West  Point. 

Justin  G.  Patton.  Cor.,  dis.  May  3,  '63.  disability, 

A.  Bunker.  Cor.,  w'ded  Jan.  8,  '62;  died  Mar.  31,  '64,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Uberto  E.  Johnson,  Cor.,  killed  Mar.  29,  '62,  Warrensburg,  Mo. 

Thomas  Clark,  Far.,  dis.  Sept.  10,  '62,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

Thos.  J.  Reed.  Teamster,  died  July  18,  '64,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarr. 

Robert  Allen,  priv.,  died  Feb.  6.  '62,  Boonville,  Mo.,  measles. 

Wm.  J.  Bowen.  dis.  Mar.  6,  '62,  near  Sedalia,  disability. 

Stephen  Baker,  wounded  April  4,  '64,  Hollow  Bottom.  Ark.,  shoulder. 

Jesse  Bunker,  dis.  May  3,  '62,  near  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

James  Boston,  dis.  Aug.  17,  '63,  Ironton,  Mo. 

Hiram  G.  Balcom.  died  June  19,  '64,  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  measles. 

Wm.  H.  H.  Cunningham,  dis.  Mar.  24.  '63,  Springfield,  disability. 

James  S.  Catlin,  died  Nov.  12,  '63,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  chronic  diarr. 

J.  Convey,  w'ded  Jan.  8,  '62,  Silver  Creek,  Mo.,  mortally;  died  Jan.   9. 

James  B.  Doran,  transfd  Aug.  15,  '63,  to  V.  C.  R. 

Frederick  A.  Druff,  dis.  Aug.  14,  '63,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

Alexander  Doran,  dis.  Aug.  19,  '62,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

Ellery  N.  Foster,  wounded  Aug.  2,  '65,  leg  broken  by  kick  of  a  horse. 

John  C.  Gerrard.  killed  Mar.  29.  '62,  WTarrensburg,  Mo.,  in  battle. 


416  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

William  George,  dis.  Jan.  5,  '64,  ("ape  Girardeau,  disability. 

Enoch  A.  Goodwin,  dis.  Jan.  5,  "64,  Cape  Girardeau,  gun  shot. 

Elisha  Gray,  deserted  Feb.  8,  '65,  Pine  Bluffs,  Ark. 

Oliver  P.  Hull,  dis.  Aug.  1,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

George  Hart,  dis.  June  30,  '62.  Osceola,  Mo.,  disability. 

John  C.  Hunter,  dis.  June  9,  '62,  Osceola,  Mo.,  disability. 

Cyrus  A.  Housell.  died  July  31,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Jas.  W.  Horn,  died  Dec.  29,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  intermittent  fever. 

Francis  Howe,  died  Oct.  3,  '64,  Duvall's  Bluff,  Ark. 

Moses  F.  Johnson,  died  Aug.  3,  '63,  Clarendon,  Ark.,  congestive   chill. 

Irving  C.  Jones,  dis.  Mar.  6,  '63,  Mt.  Grove,  disability. 

John  Kay,  killed  May  29,  '62,  Osceola,  Mo.,  accidentally  shot. 

Joseph  W.  Latta,  dis.  April  22,  '62,  near  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

Allen  J.  Montgomery,  dis.  Dec.  4,  '61,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

John  J.  Miller,  deserted  Feb.  8,  '65,  Pine  Bluffs.  Ark. 

William  McAllister,  died  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Benjamin  F.  Parsons,  died  Jan.  5.  '62,  Syracuse,  Mo.,  innam.  of  lungs. 

William  F.  Powers,  died,  Fayetteville.  Ark. 

Samuel  Sewall,  deserted  Aug.  11,  '61,  Burlington. 

Maletius  J.  Simms,  dis.  Mar.  24,  '63,  Springfield,  disability. 

Oregon  A.  Stillings,  dis.  Mar.  1,  '62.  near  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

Emery  F.  Stratton,  dis.  June  20,  62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Stephen  M.  Sexton,  wounded  Jan.  8,  '62,  Silver  Creek,  Mo.,  in  hand. 

W.  H.  Smith,  died  Dec.  1,  '63,  Memphis,  pneumonia,  (rep.  dis.  Nov.  26.) 

Hiram  M.  Thurston,  died  at  Little  Rock. 

Sam'l  Van  Norman,  died  Jan.  5.  '62,  Otterviile,  Mo.  inflam.  of  lungs. 

Thos.  M.  Williamson,  died  Sept.  2,  '63,  Brownsville,  congestive  chills. 

Ira  Williams,  dis.  Mar.  16.  '63.  Lake  Springs,  Mo.,  disability,  (w'ded.) 

COMPANY    G. 

Horace   Barren,  1st  Ser..  dis.  June  18.  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Geo.  W.  Camp,  Cor.,  dis.  April  2,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

Victor  Gilbert,  Cor.,  died,  April  5,  '64,  Little  Mo.,  Ark.,  of  wounds. 

Joshua   B.  Myers,  Cor.,  dis.  Jan.  22.  '63,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  disability. 

Michael  O.  Sullivan,  Far.,  dis.  Dec.  1,  '61,  Syracuse,  Mo.,  disability. 

Purdy  M.  Byrely.  Wag.,  wounded  April  4,  '64. 

Thomas  Mulford,  priv.,  died  Oct.  18,  :63.  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

Charles  A.  Adams,  dis.  April  2,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

James  W.  Beecroft,  killed  July  11,  62,  Big  Creek  Bluffs,  Mo.,  by  guer. 

James  C.  Boston,  dis.  Feb.  14,  '62,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  disability. 

Daniel  R.  Cobb,  died  Aug.  15,  '64,  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Wilson  Clark,  dis.  July  15,  '62.  Clinton,  Mo.,  disabilty. 

John  F.  Clark,  dis.  June  18,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Marshall  D.  Carpenter,  died  Dec.  29,  64,  Fayette  county. 

Suell  Dodge,  killed  July  11,  '62,  Big  Creek  Cliffs,  Mo.,  in  action,  guer. 

Samuel  D.  Drake,  dis.  July  15,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Francis  A.  Dory,  dis.  Nov.  10,  '62,  St.  Louis. 

Horace  A.  Fray.  Jr..  died  July  19.  '64,  Little  Rock. 

Henry  P.  Gregory,  dis.  Nov.,  "64,  to  accept  promotion  in  4th  Ark.  Cav. 

Alonxo  L.  Kurd.  dis.  Jan.  1,  '62.  Boonville.  Mo.,  disability. 

Howard  Hall,  died  Dec.  8,  '62,  Fayetteville.  Ark.,  pleurisy. 

Benj.  Heustis,  died  Aug.  8,  '64,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diahrroea. 

James  J.  Hart,  died  Aug.  8,  '64.  St.  Joseph.  Mo.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Wm.  D.  Johnston,  captured  April  18.  '64,  near  Camden,  Ark. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  417 

Daniel  R.  Hopper,  died  Mar.  17,  '63,  Spring  Valley,  Mo.,  lung  fever. 

Aug.  J.  Kintz,  died  May  31,  '63,  Lake  Springs,  Mo.,  committed  suicide. 

Alex.  Larkey,  died  Feb.  19,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  typhoid  fever  and  measles. 

Theodore  Lebarre,  dia.  Jan.  26,  '63,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  congestive  chills. 

Jack  Monroe,  deserted  Nov.  16,  61;  killed  Dec.  15,  '61,  robbing  a  store. 

Earl  H.  McMillen,  dis.  Dec.  3,  '63,  Little  Rock,  disability. 

Robert  G.  Needles,  deserted  Nov.  16,  '61. 

Michael  O'Sullivan,  dis.  Oct.  14,  '62,  Cassville,  Mo.,  disability. 

Charles  H.  Porter,  died  Oct.  16,  '63,  Little  Rock,  general  debility. 

George  W.  Phillips,  murdered  Dec.  24,  '65,  Austin,  Texas. 

Charles  Penn,  died  Sept.  14,  '64,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Charles  R.  Paris,  dis.  Jan.  29,  '64,  Little  Rock,  disability. 

Stephen  G.  Rice,  dis.  April  2,  '62,  Sedalia,  Mo.,  disability. 

John   Robinson,  dis.  April  11,  '63,  Lake  Springs,  Mo.,  disability. 

Otto  Rothlander,  dis.  Dec.  1,  '62,  disability. 

George  P.  Ranslow,  dis.  Nov.  30,  '64,  Little  Rock,  disability. 

Samuel  A.  Rose,  dis.  Pilot  Knob,  disability. 

Virgil  Race,  died  Aug.  27,  '64,  Manchester,  Mo.,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Elon  J.  Skinner,  dis.  July  15,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  dislocation  left  thigh. 

David  W.  Scott,  wounded  July  9,  '62. 

Charles  M.  Simmons,  dis.  Sept.  21,  '61. 

Edwin  J.  Smith,  dis.  April  9,  '63,  Lake  Springs,  disability. 

James  L.  Stone,  dis.  June  3,  '62,  Sedalia,  disability. 

John  S.  Stevenson,  died  Nov.  16,  '61,  St.  Louis,  typhoid  fever. 

John  W.  Smith,  died  Oct.  28,  '63,  Little  Rock,  general  debility. 

Henry  C.  Skinner,  died  Mar.  9,  '63,  Mountain  Grove,  Mo.,  cong.  brain. 

George  W.  Spears,  died  July  27,  '64,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Lacey  N.  Simmons,  deserted  June  21,  '63,  Arcadia,  Mo. 

Frank  Taltz,  captured  May  1,  '64. 

James  F.  Van  Emburgh,  dis.  May  20,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

John  Vest,  died  April  15,  '64,  Camden,  wounds  rec'd  April  4,  Little  Mo. 

COMPANY    H. 

David  K.  Webster,  1st  Ser.,  dis.  April  7.  "65,  Memphis,    disability. 
Edwin  R.  Rockwell,  Q.M  .  S.,  w'ded  in  lower  jaw;  dis.  Nov.  1,  '62. 
George  Sturges,  Com.  Ser.,  died  Oct.  20,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chr.  diarr. 
Wm.  H.  Harris,  Ser.,  died  Nov.  5,  '62,  Keitsville,  Mo.,  typhoid  fever. 
David  J.  Leffler,  Ser.,  dis.  July  13,  '64,  Little  Rock,  disability. 
Daniel  Easley,  Jr.,  Ser.,  dis.  Dec.  2,  '62,  Springfield,  Mo. 
Josephus  Hays,  Ser.,  died  Nov.  25,'  63,  Monroe  county  . 
George  W.  Hartman,  Ser.,  deserted  July  25,  '62. 
Allen  W.  Knight,  Ser.,  died  Jan.  5,  '65,  Little  Rock,  bloody  flux. 
John  F.  B.  Searcey,  Ser.,  dis.  Feb.  23,  '65,  Memphis,  disability. 
Aaron  G.  Chambers,  Cor.,  dis.  Feb.  6,  '62,  Jefferson  City,  disability. 
James  H.  McCoy,  Cor.,  dis.  June  26,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 
Samuel  J.  Hunt,  Far.,  dis.  April  15,  '62,  Wheeling,  Va.,  disability. 
Benj.  F.  Shuman,  Far.,  died  Nov.  30,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarr. 
Wm.  O.  Parmenter,  Far.,  dis.  Sept.  1,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 
John  Dull,  Far.,  died  Oct.  13,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 
Haiiow  G.  Bates,  Sad.,  trans.  April,  28,  '65,  to  V.  R.  C.  (2d  Batt.) 
D.  W.  Anderson,  priv.,  died  Nov.  2,  '64,  Jefferson  Barracks,  ch.  diarr. 
Washington  Bernard,  dis.  June  13,  '64,  Little  Rock,  disability. 
David  H.  Bristow,  died  Sept.  26,  '63,  Memphis. 
Wm.  W.  Davis,  killed  Feb.  28,  '63,  Memphis,  by  guerrillas. 
53 


4:18  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Thomas  F.  Fauts,  dis.  Sept.  13,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Sam'l  H.  Fullerton.  killed  Feb.  28,  '65,  near  Memphis,  by  guerrillas. 

Benj.  F.  Gates,  deserted  Sept.  16,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo. 

Albert  Gilbert,  died  Dec.  26,  '62,  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  typhoid  fever. 

Allen  K.  George,  died  Nov.  7,  '63,  Georgetown. 

Andrew  J.  Harrison,  dis.  Sept.  1.  '61,  Burlington,  disability. 

Lafayette  Harris,  died  Jan.  22,  '62,  Jefferson  City,  typhoid  fever. 

Charles  H.  Holmes,  died  Nov.  8,  '65,  Austin,  Texas,  chronic  dirrhoea. 

Ludwig  B.  Hazard,  died  Oct.  25,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Jos.  L.  Hall,  w'ded  Feb.  9,  '65;  dis.  June  20,  '65,  on  account  of  wounds. 

Henry  Hepshire,  died  Jan.  25,  '65,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

James  Hitchings,  died  Nov.  22,  '64,  Jefferson  Barracks,  chronic  diarr. 

Henry  E.  Johnson,  died  Dec.  4,  '62,  Springfield,  Mo.,  fever. 

Cornelius  O.  Leary,  died  June  9,  '63,  Rolla.  Mo.,  pneu.  and  erysipelas. 

Anderson  Lister,  died  July  21,  '64,  Little  Rock. 

Eurotus  Lyinan,  killed,  Feb.  28,  '65,  near  Memphis,  by  guerrillas. 

Nelson  M.  Maydole,  deserted  Nov.  28,  '64,  Benton  Barracks. 

Edwin  H.  Maydole,  died  Sept.  11,  '63,  Brownsville,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Reuben  G.  Merrill,  Sr.,  died  Jan.  16,  '65,  Hazleton. 

David  McMains,  died  Sept.  25,  '65,  Hempstead,  Texas,  palsy. 

Henry  Osborn,  died  Nov.  16,  '64,  Jefferson  City,  typhoid. 

Jacob  B.  Rhoads,  dis.  Feb.  2,  '63,  Springfield,  disability. 

David  W.  Scott,  died  Jan.  6,  '64,  St.  Louis,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Martin  W.  Sullivan,  dis.  Aug.  29,  '65,  Jefferson  Barracks,   disability. 

Israel  H.  Shepherd,  dis.  Dec.  8,  '62,  Springfield,  disability;  died  Dec.  9. 

COMPANY    I. 

Benj.  W.  Searle,  1st  Ser.,  dis.  Mar.  13,  163,  Springfield,  disability. 
Moses  Miller,  Q.  M.  S..  w'ded  Jan.  19,  '63,  Waco,  Texas,   accidentally. 
Hiel  A.  Travers,  Com.  Ser.,  dis.  May  4,  '64,  Little  Rock,  disability. 
Samuel  Walker,  Ser.,  dis.  Sept.  12,  '63,  Rolla,  Mo.,  disability. 
Wm.  B.  Brim,  Ser.,  died  Mar.  13,  '63,  Mountain  Grove,  disease. 
Hiram  Holler,  Ser.,  died  Oct.  13,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  dysentery. 
Tyrus  Horton,  Ser.,  dis.  Aug.  1.  '64,  Little  Rock,  disability.  " 
Hosea  F.  Lotspiech,  Ser.,  trans.  Aug.  20,  "63,  to  invalid  corps. 
Wm.  M.  Davis,  Cor.,  dis.  Nov.  1.  '62,  Cross  Hollows,  for  disability. 
Ephraim  P.  Jobe,  Cor.,  died  Dec.  17,  '63,  Littte  Rock,  chronic  dys. 
Mathew  Hawk,  Cor.,  died  Mar.  23,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  pneumonia. 
Theodore  Creamer,  Cor.,  died  July  22,  '64,  Antwineville,  Ai  k.,  wounds. 
Edward  F.  Parrish,  Far.,  dis.  May  24,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  disability. 
Ross  B.  Stevens,  Far.,  dis.  May  21,  '62,  disability. 
David  C.  Bottorff,  Wag.,  died  Mar.  23,  '64,  Keokuk,  disease. 
T.  Y.  Creamer,  priv..  w'ded  May  2,  '63,  in  action;  died  July  22,  64. 
Milton  S.  Clark,  w'ded  May  2,  '63,  Chalk  Bluff,  right  groin  and  left  leg. 
Thomas  Clark,  dis.  Mar.  24,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  disability. 
Horace  C.  Crandall,  dropped  from  rolls,  supposed  to  be  dead. 
Ephraim  J.  Davis,  wounded  Sept.  10,  '63,  Little  Rock,  in  left  arm. 
Henry  T.  Edwards,  deserted  Mar.  12,  '62,  Jefferson  City,  Mo. 
James  I.  Hampton,  dis.  Mar.  12,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  disability. 
Jackson  Hendrickson,  wounded  Sept.  10,  '63,  Little  Rock,  in  knee. 
Benj.  Rollings  worth,  wounded,  discharged  in  '63,  disability. 
Joseph  C.  Harris,  died  July  7,  '63,  Burlington  county,  Mo.,  dropsy. 
Andrew  J.  Johnson,  wounded  Jan.  8,  '62,  Silver  Creek,  Mo.,  in  thigh. 
Charles  H.  Johnson,  deserted  Aug.  6,  '62,  Ft.  Madison. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY.  419 

James  W.  Jacobs,  trans.  Aug.  20,  '63,  to  invalid  corps. 

James  Kelly,  deserted  Sept.  5,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo. 

John  J.  Leach,  wounded  Mar.  18,  '62,  near  Clinton,  Mo.,  in  leg-,  sev. 

Edward  Lake,  w'ded  Mar.  18,  '62,  near  Clinton,  Mo.,  slightly  in  side. 

John  M.  Macklin,  killed  April  2,  '64,  Andwineville,  Ark.,  in  action. 

Charles  H.  McFarling,  died  Sept.  29,  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

James  McGuire,  deserted  Jan.  6,  '63,  Fayetteville,  Ark. 

William  N.  Monroe,  dis.  Mar.  1,  '63.  Finley  Creek,  Ark.,  disability. 

Samuel  J.  McCaulley,  dis.  Mar.  11,  '63,  Springfield,  disability. 

Andrew  J.  McBroom,  died  Sept.  20,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

John  W.  Madison,  trans.  May  11,  '63,  to  8th  Mo.  Cav.  as  Hos.  Stew. 

Wilber  N.  Ping,  dis.  Mar.  14,  '63,  Mt.  Grove,  Mo.,  disability. 

Zephaniah  Powell,  died  Sept.  21,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

James  H.  Phelps,  dis.  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Dexter  Stephens,  killed  May  26,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  shot  by  jayhawkers. 

William  J.  Snook,  died  July  14.  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  of  disease. 

Lewis  Smith,  died  June  25.  '64.  Floris. 

Cornelius  Thompson,  w'ded  Jan.  8,  '62,  Silver  Creek,  Mo.,  left  shoul. 

Hiram  M.  Thurston,  died  July  27,  '64,  Little  Rock.  Ark. 

Willis  Van  Winkle,  died  June  1,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Henry  T.  Wilson,  deserted  Oct.  27,  '62,  Cross  Hollows,  Ark. 

William  W.  Williams,  dis.  Nov.  17.  '63,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  disability. 

COMPANY    K. 

Oscar  Moore.  Com.  Ser..  died  Nov.  18,  '65,  Austin.  Tex.,  chronic  diarr. 

J.  A.  Lyon,  Ser.,  w'ded  April  14,  '62  ;  dis.  June  10,  '62,  crip,  for  life. 

Frank  Pease,  Ser.  dis.  Jan.  10,  '64,  to  accept  pro.  as  1st  Lt.  3d  Ark.  Cav. 

Seth  Martin,  Cor.,  dis.  Oct.  28,  '61,  disability. 

Wm.  M.  Kelly,  Cor.,  died  Sept.  4,  '64,  stmr.  Burlington,  int.  fever. 

Wm.  H.  Tinkham.  Cor.,  died  Sept.  29,  '63,  Little  Rock,  Ark.  int.  fever. 

Solomon  Goodrich,  Cor.,  trans.  Sept.  1,  '61,  to  Eng.  Reg.  of  the  West. 

Charles  Carrier,  Bugler,  died  Aug.  11,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  typhoid  fever. 

Melvin  E.  Mann,  Far.,  dis.  Feb.  1,  "62,  disability. 

James  Chambers,  Far.,  capt.  Dec.  7,  '62,  Prairie  Grove,  Ark. 

John  Israel.  Wag.,  dis.  Sept.  16,  '62,  general  disablity. 

Allison  Adams.  Team.,  died   Nov.  18,  '63,  Little  Rock.  Ark.,  dysentery. 

John  F.  Arnold,  priv.,  dis.  Mar.  17,  "63,  Springfield,  disability. 

Loyal  E.  Ballou,  captured  Dec.  7,  '62. 

William  P.  Bowers,  dis.  June  15,  '64,  pro.  to  Asst.  Sur.  8th  Mo.  Cav. 

Andris  Brant,  trans.  Sept.  1,  '61,  to  Eng.  Reg.  of  the  West. 

Albert  Burgis,  killed  Nov.  9,  '65,  Austin,  Texas,  accidentally. 

Joseph    Benedict,  dis.  Dec.  i,  '65,  disability. 

Abner  J.  Case,  dis.  Oct.  30,  '64,  disability. 

Oscar  Crumb,  killed  April  14,  '62,  Montevallo,  Mo.,  in  battle. 

Henry  Clark,  dis.  Jan.  10,  '62,  disability. 

Ebenezer  E.  Clark,  trans.  Feb.  1,  '62,  to  gunboat  service. 

Charles  G.  Carpenter,  killed  Sept.  27,  '64,  Centralia,  Mo.,  by  guer. 

George  W.  D.  Eastman,  died  April  10,  '64,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

George  W.  Ekle,  died  Sept.  28,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  typhoid  malaria 

Nathan  G.  Filley,  dis.  Mar.  20,  '65,  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  disability. 

John  Gaydas,  w'ded  April  2,  '64,  Antoine,  Ark. ;  dis.  June  15,  '64. 

Archibald  Green,  killed  Aug.  7,  '64,  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  personal  affray 

Robert  E.  Granger,  killed  Aug.  27,  '63,  Bayou  Metoe. 

William  H.  H.  GifFord,  died  Jan.  5.  '65,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 


420  HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Edward  Hyde,  captured  Dec.  8,  '63. 

John  W.  Holmes,  died  July  10,  '64,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

David  P.  Jennings,  dis.  Mar.  17,  '65,  Davenport,  disability. 

George  M.  Joslyn,  died  July  17,  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

William  M.  Kelly,  died  Sept.  4,  '64,  stmr.  Burlington,  int.  fever. 

Archibald  McArthur,  dis.  Sept.  15,  '61,  disablity. 

Oscar  Powers,  died  Sept.  27,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

John  S.  Post,  dis.  Mar.  12.  '63,  Springfield,  physical  disability. 

Jonathan  R.  Porter,  dis.  Mar.  28,  "65,  Keokuk.    disability. 

Elias  Reynolds,  died  Oct.  30,  '65,  Hempstead,  Texas,  int.  fever. 

Samuel  Stephenson,  dis.  Sept.  5,  '61,  disability. 

Hans  E.  Schoolrund,  died  Aug.  10,  '65,  New  Orleans,  typhoid  fever. 

Thomas  J.  Tupper,  w'ded  April  14,  '62,  Montevallo  ;  dis.  Feb.  24.  '63. 

Orville  B.  Tiffany,  died  Nov.  14,  '65,  Austin,  Texas,  chronic  diarr. 

James  Weed,  died  Jan.  27,  '63,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  typhoid  fever. 

James  Whitford.  killed.  April  14,  '62,  Montevalllo,  Mo.,  in  battle. 

Francis  Watson,  trans.  Feb.  1,  '63,  to  gunboat  service. 

Joseph  Warner,  died  Oct.  23,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Alfred  Wells,  dis.  Feb.  20,  '63,  disability. 

COMPANY    L. 

H.  B.  Quick,  1st  Ser.,  dis.  Mar.  4,  '62,  Benton  Barracks.  Mo.,  disability. 

Daniel  W.  Mason,  Ser.,  dis.  Dec.  16,  '63,  pro.  to  Adj.  3d  Ark.  Cav. 

Christian  F.  Beyer,  Cor.,  trans.  Aug.  15,  '63,  to  invalid  corps. 

Abram  Waldron,  Cor.,  died  Feb.  3,  '64,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Frederick  Hazelton,  Cor.,  dis.  Dec.  7,  '67,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

William  C.  Bell,  Cor.,  dis.  Feb.  7,  '62,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

Milton  Lillie,  Cor.,  dis.  July  23,  '64,  Davenport,  disability. 

Ernest  Hall,  Cor.,  dis.  Aug.  11,  '62,  Butler,  Mo.,  on  account  of  wounds. 

Wm.  McGinley,  Cor.,  capt.  Sept.  20,  '62;  dis.  Nov.  16,  '62,  St.  Louis. 

George  Harrington,  Cor.,  dis.-  April  7,  '65,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  disability. 

John  B.  P.  Dodd,  Cor.,  captured  April  27,  '64. 

Reuben  Bunce.  Far.,  dis.  Nov.  15,  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

George  L.  Richardson,  Far.,  capt.  April  20,  '64,  Camden,  Ark. 

William  Bowman,  Far.,  dis.  Nov.  15,  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

Herman  Bray,  Far.,  dis.  Feb.  7,  '62,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

Martin  Lorenzo,  Far.,  died  Nov.  11,  '62,  James  River,  Mo. 

Albert  C.  Alford,  priv.,  killed  Aug.  2,  '62,  Clear  Creek,  Mo.,  in  skir. 

Amos  Andrews,  w'ded  and  capt.  Prairie  d'Anne  ;  died  Aug.  2,  '64. 

Caleb  C.  Botwood,  killed  Aug.  2,  '62,  Clear  Creek,  Mo.,  in  skirmish. 

William  J.  Barnard,  dis.  Dec.  7,  '61,  disability. 

Milton  R.  Brown,  dis.  Dec.  7,  '61. 

Franklin  Burnett,  deserted  July  20,  '63,  Bloomfield,  Mo. 

James  H.  Bruce,  deserted  Dec.  18,  '64,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Alexander  Barnes,  trans.  Aug.  23,  '63,  to  invalid  corps. 

James  A.  Cisco,  died  Nov.  1,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Michael  J.  Driscoll,  killed  Aug.  2.  '62,  Clear  Creek,  Mo.,  in  skirmish. 

(ieorge  H.  Davis,  died  July  5,  '64.  Benton  Barracks,  congestive  chills. 

Andrew  Doosler,  deserted  June  18.  '64,  Davenport,  while  on   furlough. 

James  Fitzpatrick,  dis.  Mar.  11,  '63,  Mt.  Grove.  Mot,  disability. 

Sylvester  Hall,  deserted  June  20,  '62,  Lexington.  Mo. 

George  Harrington,  dis.  April  7,  '65,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Wm.  H.  Hendebourck,  dis.  June  30.  '62.  for  alienage. 

Daniel  H.  Hughes,  dis.  May  16,  '65,  Memphis,  disability. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Benj.  H.  Hall,  captured  April  3,  '64,  while  absent  without  leave. 

Martin  V.  Jourdan,  dis.  Mar.  14,  '63,  Springfield,  disability. 

Otto  Anton  Lauer,  dis.  Mar.  4,  '63,  Mt.  Grove,  Mo. 

Stephen  Lawyer,  died  Nov.  14,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

George  Lewis,  dis.  June  10,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Warren  Y.  Merchant,  dis.  July  31,  '62,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

Charles  McMeyer,  dis.  Nov.  5,  '61,  St.  Louis,  disability. 

Edgar  P.  Mills,  captured  April  29,  '64. 

Hardin  W.  Nolin,  dis.  Nov.  25,  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

James  Noble,  died  Dec.  26,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Stephen  H.  Pierce,  dis.  Nov.  28,  '63,  disability. 

John  L.  Quick,  dis.  Feb.  7,  '62,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

George  S.  Rogers,  captured  April  3,  '64,  while  absent  without  leave. 

Alanson  C.  Robinson,  deserted  Jan.  4,  '62,  Benton  Barracks. 

Adolph  Sommers,  died  Feb.  16,  '62,  St.  Louis. 

James  Sprague,  dis.  Feb.  17,  '63,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

Charles  P.  Stewart,  died  Feb.  9,  '63,  Springfield,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Clark  J.  Sherwood,  dis.  Mar.  4,  '62,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

Ira  C.  Scott,  died  Sept.  1,  '65,  Hempstead,  Texas,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

John  Shuster,  died  Sept.  28,  '63,  Little  Rock,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Samuel  S.  Sherman,  deserted  June  4,  '62. 

Levi  Shultz,  deserted  Sept.  30,  '62,  Springfield,  Mo. 

Ernst  Seidel,  died  Aug.  4,  '64,  Little  Rock,  intermittent  fever. 

Samuel  Tate.  dis.  Mar.  12,  '63,  Springfield.  Mo. 

Samuel  Taylor,  deserted  July  20,  '63,  Springfield,  Mo. 

George  Venn,  died  April  18,  '64,  Memphis,  chronic  dysentery. 

Peter  Walter,  killed  Sept.  15,  '64,  Mexico,  Mo. 

John  W.  Wall,  dis.  Nov.  25.  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

N.  W.  Wellaver,  w'ded  Aug.  27,  '63,  Little  Rock;  dis.  Oct.  14,  prom. 

James  A.  Walton,  died  June  20,  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever. 

COMPANY    M. 

Charles  E.  Cook.  Ser.,  deserted  Oct.  10,  61. 

Dan'l  M.  Shureman,  Ser.,  died  Nov.  18,  '62,  Springfield,  typhoid  fever. 

Edward  Ware,  Ser.,  wounded  Aug.  2,  '62,  Clear  Creek,  Mo. 

Peter  Barr,  Cor.,  dis.  June  24,  '62,  Clinton,  Mo.,  disability. 

Wm.  O.  Gulich.  Cor.,  w'ded  Aug.  27,  '63,  leg  amp.;  died  Sept.  4,  '63. 

Josiah  Gorham,  Cor.,  drowned  Aug.  27,  '63.  Helena,  insane. 

John  M.  Alcorn,  Cor.,  dis.  Nov.  1,  '65,  disability. 

Daniel  Dean,  Cor.,  dis.  Oct.  24,  '61,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

Thomas  E.  Francis,  Bugler,  wounded  Aug.  2.  '62,  Clear  Creek,  in  head. 

Sam'l  B.  Cory,  Sad.,  dis.  Mar.  17,  '62,  Sedalia,  disability. 

Joseph  Moody,  Wag.,  dis.  Oct.  17,  '63,  Benton  Barracks,  disability. 

Henry  Bennett,  private,  deserted  Mar.  3,  '63. 

Charles  Barrows,  dis.  Sept.  21,  '61,  Burlington,  disability. 

DeWitt  C.  Bronson.  trans.  June  30,  '65,  to  V.  R.  C. 

P.  H.  Burke,  wounded  in  hip  April,  '64;  deserted  July  4,  '65. 

Jerome  L.  Church,  died  Feb.  4,  '62,  Benton  Barracks,  typhoid   fever. 

Wm.  H.  Davidson,  dis.  July  24,  '62,  disability. 

James  M.  Decker,  wounded  Aug.  27,  '63,  Bayou  Metoe.  Ark.,  in  hip. 

Lander  Follet,  died  Feb.  20,  '64,  Little  Creek,  Ark.,  measles. 

Thomas  George,  dis.  Feb.  12,  '63,  Forsyth,  Mo.,  disability. 

Paschal  Gardner,  dis.  Nov.  9,  '65,  dishonorably  for  desertion. 

Thomas  Gammill.  deserted  Dec.  20,  '64,  Benton  Barracks.  Mo. 


HISTORY  OF  FIRST  IOWA  CAVALRY. 

Charles  Hibber,  wounded  Aug.  2,  '62.  Clear  Creek,  Mo. 

Hiram  Hill,  dis   April  25,  '63,  Springfield,  Mo.,  disability. 

Reuben  Hubbell   died  Jan.  15,  '65,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  pneumonia 

John  P.  Husband,  deserted  Oct.  18,  '62 

Martin  T    Hesler    died  Dec.  15,  '62.  Springfield,  chronic  diarr. 
gene  G.  Hannibal,  died  July  10,  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever 

George  M    Joslyn.  died  July  12.  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever 

^Ivester  K    Lake,  dis.  April  7,  '62,  Benton  Barracks,  disability 

Wm.  H.  Mathews.  dis.  Feb.  24,  '63,  disability. 

John  McDonald,  deserted  Dec.  21.  61 

James  McCormick.  deserted  June  1.  '63.  Lake  Springs    Mo 

Marshall  McKnight.  trans.  Nov.  4,  '61,  to  Berger's  Sharpshooter.. 

Richard  A.  Miner,  deserted  Feb.  15,  '63,  Forsyth    Mo 

George  A    Nelson,  died  Nov.  24,  '62,  Springfield,' chronic  diarrhoea. 

Charles  J.  Osgood,  dis.  Dec.  21.  '62,  Madison   Wis 

Washington  H.  Rigby,  wounded  Aug.  2,  '62,  Clear  Creek.  Mo 
isha  A.  Roland,  killed  Aug.  2.  '62,  Clear  Creek.  Mo.,  in  battle 
'.  Randolph,  trans.  Sept.  30.  '63,  to  invalid  corps 

Henry  Roberts,  deserted  Jan.  11,  '62. 

Richard  Smith,  dis.  July  .  '62,  disability. 

Jacob  Stephenson,  died  Nov.  25,  '62,  Springfield    Mo 

Fritz  Thode.  died  Dec.  19,  '62,  Prairie  Grove.  Ark.,  dysenterv 

John  Tietzgens,  died  Sept.  30,  '63,  Keokuk,  erysipelas. 

William  H.  Todd,  wounded  Aug.  2,  '62. 

John  S.  Vosburg.  wounded  by  guerrillas. 

Lewis  Warren,  died  Aug.  13,  '64,  chronic  diarrhoea. 

Christian  W.  Wilson,  w'ded  Oct.  29,  '62  ;  dis.  Feb.  2.  '63. 

UNASSIGNED    RECRUITS. 

Aaron  Babcock,  priv..  died  Jan.  1,  '63,  St.  Louis,  pneumonia 
William  Grates,  dis.  Dec.  8.  '62,  disability. 
Henry  Hotinger.  died  April  13.  '64.  Helena.  Ark.,  measles 
John  A.  McClelland,  died  Nov.  18,  '62,  St.  Louis,  typhoid  fever- 
Jacob  Showalter.  died  June  7.  '64,  Little  Rock,  typhoid  fever 
Lewis  Thompson,  died  June  7.  '64.  Little  Rock,  intermittent  fever 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Acknowledgment 9 

Advance  on  Little  Rock 127 

Adventures  of  Dismounted  Members 159 

Additional  Announcement '. 383 

Affidavit  Surgeon  Lothrop 276 

Affidavits  and  Statements  of  Ouster's  Cruelty 280-  93 

Alexandria — Execution  of  Soldiers 223 

Announcement 3 

Assassination  of  Lincoln 210 

Assignment  to  Special  Duty 208 

Battle  of  Blackwater 42 

Battle  of  Silver  Creek 48 

Battle  of  Montevallo 63 

Battle  of  Warsaw 55 

Battle  of  Marais  des  Cygnes 69 

Battle  of  Lotspeach  Farm 70 

Battle  of  Big  Creek  Cliffs 70 

Battle  of  Clear  Creek  .....  ...*. 73 

Battle  of  Lone  Jack 75 

Battle  of  Newtonia 81 

Battle  of  Cross  Hollows 84 

Battle  of  McGuire's  Ford 85 

Battle  of  Prairie  Grove 89 

Battle  of  Dripping  Springs 95 

Battle  of  VanBuren 95 

Battle  of  Yellville .98 

54 


II  INDEX. 

Page. 

Battle  of  Kingston .99 

Battle  of  Midnight  Attack 108 

Battle  of  Jackson.  . .  . . : 108 

Battle  of  Spring  Hill 109 

Battle  of  Chalk  Bluffs 110 

Battle  of  Bloomfield ...'..'..;. ' 110 

Battle  of  St.  Francis  River 110 

Battle  of  Salem Ill 

Battle  of  Bayou  Metoe 126 

Battle  of  Cape  Girardeau ..Ill 

Battle  of  Brownsville .  .  1 26 

Battle  of  Little  Rock 129 

Battle  of  Princeton 142 

Battle  of  Arkadelphia 149 

Battle  of  Spoonville 149 

Battle  of  Antoine 149 

Battle  of  Elkins1  Ford 151 

Battle  of  Prairie  d'Anne 156 

Battle  of  Camden 187 

Battle  of  Moro  Creek 163 

Battle  of  Jenkins1  Ferry 166 

Battle  of  Persia  Hills 187 

Battle  of  Centralia 188 

Price's  Raid 194 

Battle  of  Osage  River 195 

Battle  of  California 196 

Battle  of  Dardanelles 205 

Battle  of  Biff  Hatchie 209 

Battle  of  Moro  River  Bottom 206 

• '  Bandbox  Battalion  " 61 

Benton  Barracks 86 

Burlington 28 

Capture  of  Little  Rock 129 

Camden  Expedition  .....  148 


INDEX.  Ill 

Page. 

Capture  of  Marmaduke 199 

Capture  of  Camden 157 

Changes  in  Medical  Staff : 119 

Changes  of  Personal  History  of  the  Regiment 202 

Close  and  Personal  History  of  1863 143 

Copies  of  General  Sterling  Price's  Orders 194 

Collinsville 210 

Close  of  1865,  Personal  History,  etc 242 

Colonel  McQueen's  Speech 232 

Custer's  Cruelty 277 

Departure  from  Little  Rock 201 

Dismounted  Battalion 148 

Detached  Service 303 

Evacuation  of  Camden .166 

Expedition  to  Henry,  Bates  and  St.  Clair  Counties.  Mo 56 

Expedition  to  Oregon  County 105 

Expedition  under  Brigadier  General  Vandever. 107 

Fall  of  Richmond 213 

Furlough  Surgeon  Lothrop 121 

Furlough.  Veteran 163 

First  Prisoner  of  the  Campaign 149 

General  Preface 5 

General  Marmaduke  ' '  Taken  In  "... 151 

Major  General  G.  A.  Custer  Assumes  Command 217 

General  Custer's  Letter 230 

Governor  Stone's  Letter 232 

General  S.  D.  Sturgis  in  Command 241 

General  Custer's  Statement 262 

General  Custer's  Statement 266-274 

General  Forsytes  Endorsement 275 

General  Custer  and  Staff  Ordered  Mustered  Out 296 

General  Custer  Leaves  Between  Two  Days 296 

General  Thompson's  Staff 297 

General  Marmaduke's  Report. 169 


IV  INDEX. 

Page. 

Horace  C.  Cure  Whipped. 281 

Horse  Race 24() 

Introduction  to  "Pup  Tents  ". 12g 

Inspection  of  Regiment  by  U.  S.  A.  Officers  229 

Jack  Rutter  Beaten. 140 

Letter  of  Lieutenant  Chas.  W.  W.  Dow  112 

Letter  of  Captain  Rowland,  Eighteenth  Iowa  Infantry.  179 

Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen's  Reply 266-274 

Leave  Austin,  Texas. 298 

March  to  Spring-field,  Mo.  7y 

March  to  Lake  Springs 101 

March  to  St.  Louis  s>Aa 
• zuu 

Massacre  of  Centralia 188 

March  to  Pine  Bluffs  on* 
• zuo 

March  to  Texas  227 

March  for  Austin,  Texas  239 

Midnight  Attack 108 

New  Organization  of  Regiment 184 

Necrology .  .314-316 

No  Quinine 225 

Number  of  Enlistments  ->QU 

£y,i 

Organizations  of  Companies.. iy 

Organization  of  Corps  Field  Hospitals.  155 

Operations  of  Veteran  Portion  Regiment.  185 

Ordered  to  Memphis,   Tenn.  207 

Ordered  to  Texas 216 

Organization  of  Board  of  Surgeons 224 

Obnoxious  Orders   Revoked  237-238 

Ordered  to  Report  to  General  Rosecrans  as  Body  Guard.  197 

Orders — General — General  J.  W.  Davidson .136 

General  G.  A.  Custer 218 

No.   14 225 

Special — General  G.  A.  Custer.  218 

No.  35..  224 


INDEX.  V 

Page. 

Orders— Special— No.  37 226 

No.  20 294 

Complimentary — General  J.  W.   Davidson.. 123 

General  E.  A.  Carr .* 162 

Congratulatory — General  Fred.  Steele 168 

Order  Lieutenant  Colonel  Caldwell 186 

Farewell  Order  General  J.  W.  Davidson 147 

Whipping-  Order 218 

Personal  Sketches. 317-355 

Princeton 142 

Purchase  of  Medicine. • 237-238 

Promotions 310-313 

Rations — Hog-  Jowls 228 

Reception  of  Governor  Soliman 119 

Resolutions  Iowa  State   Legislature 233-236 

Report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  McQueen 243-262 

Reply  to  Marmaduke's  Report .177 

Report  of  Major  General  Steele 129 

Report  of  General  J.  W.  Davidson 134 

Report  of  Lieutenant  Craig 1 36 

Report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel    Drake 152 

Reminiscences  of  Army  Life. 256-284 

Roster  of  Officers  of  Regiment 299 

Roster. ; 385 

Saber  Presentation  to  Gen.  J.  W.  Davidson 139 

Sickness  in  Regiment 140 

Steamer  Starlight 226  * 

Sold  Race 238 

Veteran   Furlough. 1 83 

1861-62 13 

1863 97 

1864 146 

1865 203 

1866  ..294 


NAMES  OF  PORTRAITS. 


The  portraits  having-  been  shipped  direct  from  Chicago  to  Cedar 
Rapids  for  binding,  it  was  impossible  to  page  them.  They  will  be 
found  in  order  of  company  as  near  as  possible. 

Very  truly.  VIRGIN  IE  LOTH  no  P. 


Colonel  Fitz  Henry  Warren. 
Colonel  Daniel  Anderson, 
Colonel  J.  W.  Caldwell* 
Colonel  William  Thompson. 
Major  Levi  Chase. 
Major  J.  D.  Jenks. 
Surgeon  M.  B.  Cochran. 
Surgeon  Charles  Henry  Lothrop. 
Virginie  Lothrop, 
Assistant  Surgeon  J.  A.  Ladd. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Asa  Morgan. 

Adjutant  David  A.  Kerr. 

Lieut.  H.  S.  Heberling,  Pres.  Ass'n, 

E.  J.  Babcock,  first  Sec.  Ass'n. 

Phil.  H.  Francis,  Sec.  Ass'n. 

Orrin   B.  Crane, 

George  R.  Miller, 

Sergeant  Walter  S.  Gray, 

Captain  J.  T.  Foster. 

Sergeant  B.  S.  Woodward. 

Captain  WT.  E.  Leffingwell. 

Lieutenant  H.  P.  Shiffer. 

Isaac  Rhodes. 

M.  W.  Chatfield, 

Lieut.  William  Prescott  Allen. 

R.  M.  Swan. 

Paul  Hendricks, 

D.  D.  Burnett, 

Clement  M.  Bird. 


Lieutenant  Chas.  W.  W.  Dow. 

Lieutenant  Clinton  M.  Turner. 

Major  Max  Klein, 

Thomas  S.  Heller, 

S.  W.  Trenchard, 

J.  W.  Krapfel, 

Ed.  J.  Brown, 

Benj.  F.  Skinner. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  D.  Thompson. 

( 1aptain  Robert  L.  Freeman, 

Captain  A.  Wr.  Hosford, 

Lieutenant  Ernest  A.  Klingenberg, 

Walter  C.  Handley. 

Lieutenant  Samuel  T.  Craig. 

Francis   Burkhall, 

Captain  Thomas  Henry  Barnes. 

Captain  James  M.  Russell, 

Lieutenant  WTalter  W.  Carpenter, 

Lieutenant  Chas.  DuBois. 

Lieutenant  A.  L.  Freeman, 

Sergeant  John  Fitzsimmons. 

Sergeant  Horace  J.  Leonard. 

Joab  Somers, 

Charles  A.  Chase, 

Lieutenant  James  M.  Simeral, 

Herbert  L.  Mills, 

Lewis  E.  Dean, 

Billy, 

Benton   Bitner. 


GENERAL  LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY 

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This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  betow,  or  on  the 

date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 

~|  SENT  ON  ILL 


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NOV  1 6  199 

AUTO  DISC. 
OCT  301992 
CIRCULATION 

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JUN  2  1  1994 

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